Makerspace Engineer

About the role

The School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics (CDSP), through its initiatives and activities, marshals the disciplinary areas involved to meet the most pressing needs of our time. The School provides a vibrant and inclusive community for faculty teaching and conducting research and for students pursuing programs in the fields of applied science, computer science, data science, and physics. The Makerspace Engineer supports the operation, maintenance, and growth of the university's makerspaces by providing technical expertise, instruction, and operational leadership. This position delivers hands-on training and workshops, supports courses and student projects, maintains and repairs fabrication equipment, and promotes the safe and effective use of makerspace resources. The Makerspace Engineer also mentors student engineers, supports daily facility operations, and collaborates with faculty, staff, and students to advance innovation, research, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning. The Makerspace Engineer supports the Director in the operation, maintenance, instruction, and continued development of the university's makerspaces and helps lead the makerspace student engineers in operations, training and support.

Responsibilities

• Teach and support hands-on courses and workshops
• Train students, faculty, and staff in the safe and effective use of fabrication equipment
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair makerspace equipment
• Supervise facility operations
• Develop educational programming and outreach activities
• Support student design, research, entrepreneurial, and capstone projects
• Assist the Director in the operation, maintenance, instruction, and continued development of the makerspaces
• Lead makerspace student engineers in operations, training, and support

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial Technology, Manufacturing, Industrial Design, Architecture, STEM Education, or a related technical field; any equivalent combination of education, technical certifications, and relevant professional experience may be considered
• Experience operating and maintaining fabrication equipment
• Knowledge of shops, laboratories, or makerspace safety practices
• Demonstrated ability to enforce safety procedures and maintain a safe working environment
• Experience teaching, training, or mentoring students, staff, or customers in the safe and effective use of technical equipment
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to users with varying levels of experience
• Strong organizational, communication, and customer‑service skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience maintaining, troubleshooting, and operating advanced fabrication equipment
• Strong preference for expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  • CNC machining (routers, mills, lathes, or CAM workflows)
  • Laser cutting and engraving systems (CO₂ and/or fiber lasers)
  • Electrical engineering or electromechanical systems, including machine controls, motion systems, sensors, and low‑voltage troubleshooting
  • Industrial automation, mechatronics, or machine integration
• Prior experience working in a university makerspace, fabrication laboratory, machine shop, innovation center, or STEM education environment
• Experience developing workshops, training programs, or experiential learning opportunities
• Expertise in multiple fabrication disciplines, including Advanced CNC machining, TIG/MIG welding, and electronics and embedded systems
• Experience supervising student employees, interns, technicians, or teaching assistants
• Experience managing facility operations, scheduling, inventory, budgets, or equipment procurement

Skills

• Digital fabrication, prototyping, manufacturing, and machine shop operations
• Ability to teach technical concepts and mentor student project teams
• Troubleshooting complex equipment
• Maintaining a safe and inclusive learning environment
• Strong communication, organizational, and customer‑service abilities
• Collaboration with students, faculty, and staff

Schedule

• May require additional hours beyond the typical 40‑hour work week, including occasional evening, night, and weekend work as needed to meet operational needs
• Physical demands include frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, climbing ladders or step stools, working above and below equipment, and occasionally crawling into confined spaces
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling objects and equipment weighing up to 60 pounds; moving tools, materials, furniture, and machinery; using manual dexterity to operate computers, precision instruments, hand tools, and power tools
• Sufficient visual acuity to inspect equipment, identify hazards, and perform detailed mechanical and electrical work
• Exposure to fabrication equipment, moving mechanical parts, noise, dust, fumes, and other shop‑related conditions requiring adherence to safety procedures and use of appropriate personal protective equipment