Engineering Machinist/Laboratory Technician

Colorado Mesa University•Grand Junction, CO

3d•$50,000 - $60,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Engineering Machinist/Laboratory Technician reports to the Department Head of Computer Science and Engineering and manages students’ use of the Engineering Program’s machine shop and laboratories. The position maintains safe, well-equipped facilities supporting coursework, faculty research, and student competition teams, including first-year, junior-level, and senior capstone design activities. This is a 0.8 FTE, 10-month position, with time off during the summer when instructional labs are not in session. Salary is distributed evenly across 12 months. Typical hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, from August 1 through May 31. The role oversees shop and laboratory safety, training, equipment operation and maintenance, inventory and resource management, and student assistant supervision. It provides students with guidance on safe equipment use, design for manufacturability, and fabrication. The position also coordinates 3D printing operations, manages hazardous waste and tool checkout, procures approved supplies, and works with campus Facilities and risk management as needed.

Requirements

Associate's degree and four years of relevant technical experience.
Working knowledge of manual and CNC metalworking machines, woodworking machines, hand tools, welding equipment, 3D printers, and CAD/CAM software such as SolidWorks or similar.
Familiarity with CNC setup, programming, and operation.
Familiarity with the safe operation and maintenance of general metalworking and woodworking equipment.
Ability to use computer technology and Microsoft Office to perform the job duties.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from students and faculty.
Ability to communicate effectively with students and faculty orally and in writing.
Ability to maintain and grow technical expertise and equipment proficiency.
Demonstrated independent follow-through on long-term projects and initiative to identify improvement opportunities, find solutions, and implement changes.
Willingness to work patiently and safely with students from diverse technical backgrounds and mentor them through fabrication and design challenges.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify root causes and develop sustainable solutions.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret written materials, technical procedures, professional journals, and government regulations; write reports; and prepare and deliver verbal and visual presentations.
Strategic and analytical reasoning skills and the ability to solve practical problems, work with concrete variables where standardization is limited, and interpret written, oral, diagram, or schedule-based instructions.
Ability to regularly lift and carry up to 40–50 pounds, stand and move throughout shop and laboratory spaces for extended periods, and perform precision work requiring manual dexterity.
Ability to use task-appropriate personal protective equipment, including safety glasses or face shields, hearing protection, gloves, and closed-toe or steel-toe footwear.
Ability to work around moving machinery, noise, machining and welding fumes, dust and particulates, and hazardous materials such as welding gases, cutting fluids, resins, and solvents while following safety procedures.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in an educational environment.
Experience with purchasing procedures.
Experience supervising employees.

Responsibilities

Ensure safety compliance for faculty, staff, and students working in Confluence Hall.
Write, review, assess, and apply safety plans for shop and laboratory environments.
Develop and deliver shop safety procedures and training for students with diverse technical backgrounds, and supervise safe shop use.
Manage hazardous waste and work with campus risk management to comply with hazardous-material regulations, safe work practices, and reporting requirements.
Monitor and restock first aid kits in Confluence Hall.
Review student designs for manufacturability, advise on design improvements, and help select appropriate fabrication processes.
Use CAD/CAM software to support project fabrication.
Set up and operate manual and CNC metalworking and woodworking machines, hand tools, and welding equipment.
Troubleshoot, maintain, and perform routine repairs on engineering laboratory equipment, including testing machines, wind tunnels, and 3D printers.
Manage 3D printing operations, including printer maintenance and calibration, consumables inventory, print-file submissions, and print-job tracking and queue management.
Guide students in machine and tool protocols and assist with fabrication for course projects and student competition teams.
Manage the tool crib and equipment inventory.
Develop and maintain student tool checkout procedures and track issued and returned tools and equipment.
Procure parts and supplies within the department-approved budget, track costs, and obtain Department Head approval for purchases.
Monitor equipment-use policies and conduct routine inspections.
Hire, train, and supervise student employees assisting with shop operations.
Track student employee hours against the student-assistant budget to support funding throughout the fall and spring semesters.
Maintain and grow technical expertise and equipment proficiency; independently follow through on long-term projects and identify and implement improvements.
Interface with CMU Facilities to troubleshoot and maintain building infrastructure.
Perform other duties as assigned.