Fabrication Lab Assistant Coordinator

Colorado State University • Fort Collins, CO

36d • $37,000 - $41,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Position Summary: Assist the Labs Coordinator at the Nancy Richardson Design Center (RDC) including maintaining lab equipment, overseeing student hourly lab techs, proctoring labs during class meetings, assisting and training lab users while using lab equipment, helping CSU faculty develop projects and coursework that will utilize our lab equipment, assisting the Labs Coordinator with fiscal duties which include tracking incoming funds, inventory, and ordering, and developing training, access, and equipment reservation processes for our lab users. This position may also include teaching duties, depending on the experience and credentials of the selected candidate. For more information about the Nancy Richardson Design Center, please visit www.design.colostate.edu. To ensure full consideration, please submit your application materials by April 30, 2026. Essential Job Duties: Maintain, test, repair, and troubleshoot tools, machinery, and fabrication platforms; develop maintenance schedules; and implement inventory and materials tracking systems. Assist with lab budgeting, purchasing, income/expense tracking, reconciliations, inventory management, supplier sourcing, and entrepreneurial funding efforts. Collaborate with faculty on curriculum integration and course prep; support student projects; assist with recruitment and facility tours; stay current with fabrication technologies; and help foster a campus-wide design thinking and maker culture. Mentor and supervise student lab technicians and interns; develop and maintain safety and training manuals; and provide instruction to students and faculty in the safe, correct use of tools, equipment, materials, and digital fabrication processes. Provide instruction in material- and tool-specific workflows, including CNC and CAD/CAM file preparation; contribute to for-credit digital design and fabrication courses (as qualified); and develop and teach non-credit workshops, tutorials, and professional education programs. Conditions of Employment: Pre-employment Background Check This position works a non-traditional work week of Sunday-Thursday. Required hours on site are Sunday 10:30-7:30, M-R 10:30-7:30 (8 hours per day with one hour lunch break.) Candidate must be able to work these hours. This is a 9 month position

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Product Design, Architecture, Art or related field. Extensive, relevant professional experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree.
• One year of related work experience in an academic or community fabrication lab/shop setting
• Experience with general shop safety best practices for wood, metal, or digital tools
• Ability to move equipment, materials, or tools weighing 40 lbs.
• This position works a non-traditional work week of Sunday-Thursday. Required hours on site are Sunday 10:30-7:30, M-R 10:30-7:30 (8 hours per day with one hour lunch break.) Candidate must be able to work these hours.
• Pre-employment Background Check

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in related field
• Teaching/training experience at a 4-year research institution
• Experience with several of the following: Wood working equipment: table saw, planer, jointer, band saw, drill press, hand drill, hand tools, sanding machines, lathe, and CNC router Metal working equipment: band saw, drill press, shear, break, lathe, oxy fuel torch, plasma cutter, welding processes (including MIG, TIG, and stick), CNC mill, grinders, and cold saw Fabric equipment: sewing machine, quilting machine, embroidery, seam welding, fabric printing (including dye sublimation and direct to cloth), screen printing, and heat press operation Software: Microsoft applications: Word, Teams, and Xcel, Adobe applications: InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Lightroom, Rhino, Grasshopper, AutoCAD, Fusion 360, SolidWorks, EnRoute, RhinoCAM, Versa Works, UCP, Slic3r, and PreForm Digital fabrication equipment: laser cutter, 3D printer, and plotter
• Committed to safety, quality, demonstrated excellent customer service and professionalism
• Demonstrated experience collaborating on teams with a track record of achieving established goals and objectives
• Demonstrated ability to give and receive critical feedback
• Capable of effectively documenting lab accomplishments, record keeping, and inventory management
• Ability to exhibit confidence and competence in public speaking settings for the purposes of trainings, instruction, and lab tours

Responsibilities

• Maintain, test, repair, and troubleshoot tools, machinery, and fabrication platforms; develop maintenance schedules; and implement inventory and materials tracking systems.
• Assist with lab budgeting, purchasing, income/expense tracking, reconciliations, inventory management, supplier sourcing, and entrepreneurial funding efforts.
• Collaborate with faculty on curriculum integration and course prep; support student projects; assist with recruitment and facility tours; stay current with fabrication technologies; and help foster a campus-wide design thinking and maker culture.
• Mentor and supervise student lab technicians and interns; develop and maintain safety and training manuals; and provide instruction to students and faculty in the safe, correct use of tools, equipment, materials, and digital fabrication processes.
• Provide instruction in material- and tool-specific workflows, including CNC and CAD/CAM file preparation; contribute to for-credit digital design and fabrication courses (as qualified); and develop and teach non-credit workshops, tutorials, and professional education programs.

Benefits

• Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service.
• With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level