Maker Space & Machine Shop Supervisor

Job Summary

Is responsible for all Machine Shop, Maker’s Space and Student Project Lab related activity, and setting the policies, procedures, and safety protocols of said Shop.

Essential Functions

• Serves as the manager and resident expert for the engineering building’s Machine Shop, Maker Space, and Student Project Lab.
• You will play a central role in building a robust fabrication program and supporting our faculty and students through technical expertise, mentorship, and operational leadership.
• Your Day To Day Will Include:
• Operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting advanced fabrication equipment including CNC and manual mills, lathes, welders, 3D printers, laser cutters, and plasma cutters
• Enforcing and continuously improving shop safety protocols in compliance with University, Environmental Health and Safety, and applicable federal/state regulations
• Demonstrating equipment use and safe operating procedures for students, faculty, and staff
• Mentoring students in the Maker Space — helping them bring ideas to life through hands-on guidance and technical problem-solving
• Opening and closing fabrication facilities and maintaining a clean, organized, and orderly shop environment
• Managing workflow, equipment maintenance schedules, inventory, and purchasing of consumables and tooling
• Recruiting, training, and supervising student workers who assist with shop operations
• Developing and delivering training programs and workshop activities for students, faculty, and community members
• Crafting plans for additional programming and identifying potential revenue streams for the fabrication space

Requirements

• An associate’s degree with at least 7 years’ of hands-on machining and fabrication experience is required. Journeyman’s Machinist papers and relevant experience may be substituted for the education requirement.
• Ability to read technical drawings and a basic understanding of GD&T; Familiarity with Microsoft Office/Google Suite required.
• Strong working knowledge of 3D and 2D CAD software and CAM programming for CNC toolpaths is highly desirable.
• Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a genuine passion for working closely with a diverse student body, faculty, and staff. Previous supervisory or leadership experience is preferred.

Skills

Proven, practical proficiency with the following equipment — not just familiarity. Our Facility Is Fully Equipped And Candidates Are Expected To Operate, Maintain, And Instruct Others On CNC and manual mills and lathes (operation, setup, and maintenance)

Stick, MIG, and TIG welders; plasma cutters

FDM and SLA 3D printers

CO₂ laser cutters

Wood, plastic, sheet, and general metal fabrication tools

Soldering and basic electronics prototyping

Microcontroller programming (e.g., Arduino)

Plaster, resin, and/or metal casting

Ability to read technical drawings and a basic understanding of GD&T required.

Familiarity with Microsoft Office/Google Suite required.

Benefits

• Robust retirement savings: Pitt matches 100% of eligible employee contributions between 3–8% of base salary. After three years, that match increases to 150% — one of the most competitive retirement benefits in higher education.
• Comprehensive health coverage, including group medical, life, vision, and dental insurance.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick, and personal time.
• Education benefit (university-paid tuition) for employee and dependents.

Pay

$68,000 - $75,000/yr.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; some nights and weekends

Work Arrangement

On-Campus: Teams that work on campus, in an office, or in a lab.