Human Resources Job Postings

JOB TITLE: Fabrication Laboratory Supervisor
POSITION NUMBER: LS9998
HIRING SUPERVISOR:  Department Chair
DEPARTMENT: Mechanical, Robotics, and Industrial Engineering
TYPE: Full Time

SUMMARY:
The Fabrication Laboratory Supervisor is primarily responsible for managing the Fabrication Laboratory (Fab Lab), creating a safe working environment for students, transporting student projects to competitions and other events, and supporting the College of Engineering and the University as needed. This position is a leadership role that is “hands-on” and requires self-motivation and outside-the-box thinking. This role also includes promoting the University through recruiting events on and off campus.

JOB DUTIES:
Support and maintain the Fabrication Lab. This lab is the primary workspace for students enrolled in the Mechanics, Robotics, and Industrial Engineering Department (MRIE). Equipment includes: MIG, TIG, and oxyacetylene welding; CNC milling machines, lathe, plasma cutter, and water jet; Manual mills and Lathes; Hydraulic sheer and punch; Vertical and horizontal band saws; 3D printers, miscellaneous hand tools and power tools, and other machines.

• Manage the Fabrication Lab and supervise the Fab Lab employees and students.


• Maintain a clean and safe environment. This includes but is not limited to: delivering safety training to faculty and students working in the Fab Lab, maintaining safety training records, documenting injuries and near misses, clean-up of lab interior beyond what is typically expected of janitorial staff (e.g., storage of equipment and components and cleaning the machines), enforcing rules, and not tolerating unsafe behavior or activities.


• Provide technical support for students, faculty, and staff with class projects and tasks as needed. Work with the Project Engineer, Robotics Lab Instructor, and the Robotics and Animation Engineer as needed.


• Teach students how to use the tools and machines in the Fab Lab and monitor them while they use the lab. Operate machines and use the tools in the Fab Lab as needed.


• Handle a busy and noisy lab of students using machines and requesting assistance in a controlled manner.


• Support other MRIE labs (including the Applied Research Center) and occasionally other departments and the University.


• Travel to events and competitions (often outside the state of Michigan). This may include setting up displays at events.


• Transport student projects with a truck and trailer to competitions and various other events.


• Maintain the department trailer.


• Hire student technicians with the permission of the Department Chair.


• Maintain tools and machines, which includes but is not limited to: keeping a maintenance and repair log for specified equipment within the lab, performing regular preventative maintenance and updates, troubleshooting equipment issues, and working with vendors to quote and purchase replacements for worn, damaged, or missing components. Tools and supplies must also be kept stocked and ready for use.


• Work with a professional manor and competently represent the department.


• Planning and development of lab resources. This includes but is not limited to: meeting with faculty and staff to develop and update a plan for lab resources, researching software and hardware updates, working with vendors to quote and purchase machines and equipment updates as approved by the MRIE department, installing new machines and equipment updates, and developing safety and training materials for new or updated machines.

Support recruitment, engagement, and outreach activities.

• Represent the MRIE department during VIP tours, on-campus recruiting tours for scheduled events (e.g., Blue Devil Days), and short-notice individual tours. Some scheduled events may occur on Saturdays; these hours may be counted toward either the previous or following week.


• Take photos and videos of LTU events outside and within the Fab Lab for use by LTU Marketing.


• Transport student projects with a truck and trailer to recruiting and fundraising events.


• Display and present student projects at various events, represent the MRIE department, discuss the University as needed, and answer questions.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Excellent organizational skills.


• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills in standard American English.


• Ability to solve practical technical problems.


• Ability to move freely about a laboratory environment without risk of injury or accident.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor of engineering degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Manufacturing or related field from an ABET accredited school desired but not required. Must have work experience. Proficient in using various tools and machines, such as milling machines, lathes, CNC machines, welders, and having general machining knowledge. Experience managing and training student employees. Ability to maintain lab organization. Ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical problems. Ability to multitask and safely handle complex, busy, noisy, and cluttered situations. Ability to drive a pick-up truck, pull a trailer, and safely operate a forklift. Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.

Lawrence Technological University (LTU) conducts pre-employment screening on initial candidates for all positions, which may include but is not limited to, a criminal background check, verification of academic credentials, license, certifications, and/or verification of work history.

Lawrence Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.