Fabrication Specialist

Rice School of Architecture seeks a highly skilled, safety-conscious, and collaborative Fabrication Specialist to serve as the operational cornerstone for the school’s workshops, fabrication spaces, and advanced equipment housed in the recently completed William T. Cannady Hall.

About the Role

The Fabrication Specialist focuses on daily workshop operations, software and equipment maintenance, and safety management. They oversee the end-to-end functionality, calibration, and troubleshooting of both traditional machinery (wood and metal) and advanced digital fabrication tools (CNC routers, laser cutters, 3D printers, and Zünd cutter). This role manages tool and material inventory, coordinates equipment procurement, tracks shop spending, and supervises the recruitment, scheduling, and training of student shop workers.

The Fabrication Specialist develops and leads safety orientations, technical workshops, and software tutorials that empower students and faculty to safely and effectively bring their design concepts to life. They serve as a vital technical resource and mentor, assisting in resolving complex fabrication challenges, exploring new material techniques, and supporting research or exhibition-related fabrication needs.

Reporting to the Director of Finance & Operations, this role works closely with faculty, staff, and students to align workshop activities with the strategic and curricular needs of the school. The ideal candidate operates autonomously in a dynamic, maker-centered environment, demonstrating a strong technical troubleshooting curiosity, a deep appreciation for architectural craft, and a proactive approach to maintaining a safe, organized, and cutting-edge laboratory environment.

Responsibilities

• Manages the day-to-day operations, safety, and workflow of the workshop, fabrication spaces, equipment, and machinery.
• Develops, implements, and trains users on applicable safety standards and practices to ensure a safe, clean, organized, and effective working environment.
• Provides continuity, technical expertise, and supervision to students, assisting them in resolving technical fabrication challenges, equipment usage, and software utilization.
• Supervises and conducts maintenance and repair of shop tools, equipment, and the shop environment, including maintaining equipment life-cycle records and replacement schedules.
• Oversees the recruitment, training, scheduling, and management of student shop workers and/or Digital Research Assistants (DRAs).
• Manages shop inventory, materials, and supplies, and assists with the procurement and specification of fabrication equipment in consultation with faculty and administration.
• Develops and leads safety orientations, training sessions, and specialized fabrication workshops for students, both independently and within courses at the request of faculty.
• Collaborates with faculty to support their research projects, and works with the exhibition manager, faculty, and visiting artists to support school-wide exhibition and installation fabrication needs.
• Identifies and supports shop-related software needs, coordinating with IT as required.
• Designs, fabricates, and assembles custom physical assets of varying scales, ranging from utility fixtures and auxiliary furniture to small-scale commemorative items, awards, and custom engravings upon request.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree.
• 2+ years of woodworking, metalworking, and digital fabrication experience (CNC-router, laser cutters, and/or 3D printers, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability in wood and metal fabrication; welding experience is preferred.
• Thorough working knowledge of techniques, materials, and hand/power tools utilized in woodworking and metalworking.
• Thorough working knowledge of 2D and 3D modeling software (Rhino preferred) and digital fabrication equipment (CNC routers, 3D printing, laser cutting, and Zünd cutters).
• Prior experience and knowledge in the safety, maintenance, and operation of an innovative, specialized lab or workshop environment.
• Experience managing the day-to-day operations of a comparable workshop.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to teach, guide, and mentor students; ability to develop and lead instructional workshops and equipment training.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively with staff, faculty, students, and other professional colleagues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and troubleshooting skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge or experience in architectural model making and building construction.
• Familiarity with Python and/or other programming language(s) applicable to digital fabrication workflows.

Workplace Requirements

• Must be willing and able to work a flexible schedule to meet the requirements of the position during the academic year, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be able to safely operate, manipulate, and maintain heavy workshop machinery and handle wood, metal, and plastic materials.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. with no assistance.

Pay

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position with a proposed hiring range of $63,000 – $68,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Location

This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in person and on campus at the Rice School of Architecture.