Fabrication Labs Specialist

University of Washington • Seattle, WA

20h • Onsite

About The Position

The Fabrication Labs Specialist serves the instructional fabrication needs of the College of Built Environments (CBE) faculty and students by providing technical instruction for tool resources and maintaining fabrication facilities. The position supports the academic needs of CBE’s five departments: Architecture, Construction Management, Landscape Architecture, Real Estate, and Urban Design & Planning. It reports to the Fabrication Labs Director, Rae Moore.

The role provides instruction and support across metalworking, woodworking, and digital fabrication labs; helps develop and promote safe equipment and material use; maintains tools, equipment, and facilities; and supports fabrication courses. It also trains, supervises, and mentors student employees. This is a regular, 50% FTE, fully in-person position with mostly fixed, scheduled Monday-through-Friday hours. Flexible scheduling and some evening or weekend hours may be required. The stated annual pay range is $61,368 to $80,400 for full-time work and will be prorated for this part-time role.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a design discipline or another construction- and fabrication-related field, including architecture, construction management, landscape architecture, real estate, urban design and planning, engineering, industrial design, robotics, fine arts, or materials science. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute unless legal requirements apply.
• At least two years of experience in digital fabrication, woodworking, and metalworking.
• Experience with fabrication tools and processes, including physical computing, 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers or plasma CNC, casting, machining, welding, sheet metal fabrication, furniture making, carpentry, or other architectural fabrication.
• Working knowledge of CAD/CAM, digital output processes, and related 3D modeling/output software.
• Understanding of PPE standards and safety practices for hazardous materials and exposure to dust and noise.
• Ability to clearly write and document procedures and present informally to groups and individual lab guests.
• Demonstrated ability to train and interact with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Experience training students in an educational or adjacent environment.
• Flexibility in work hours; some evening and/or weekend hours are required.

Nice To Haves

• Wide range of mobility to perform equipment repairs, stand for long periods, and lift and carry objects weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Commitment to continual learning and curiosity about new materials, tools, and methods.
• Comfort learning alongside students and acknowledging when unsure of an answer.
• Mentorship or instructional experience.
• Experience using Rhino, Rhino CAM, Grasshopper, and Fusion 360.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical instruction to faculty, students, and external users on fabrication lab facilities, tools, and equipment maintenance.
• Support implementation of Fabrication Labs services in alignment with the needs of the College’s five departments.
• Promote and exemplify safe equipment and material use; respond to lab incidents and emergencies and report occurrences.
• Provide tool and safety trainings, workshops, and guides for metalworking, woodworking, and digital fabrication resources.
• Stay current on departmental program needs and changes that affect Fabrication Labs use.
• Collaborate with the Director, faculty, and administrators to develop and plan support for fabrication courses.
• Collaborate with the Director to develop, implement, and organize safety protocols.
• Purchase consumables, supplies, and equipment and assist in tracking budget expenditures.
• Provide leadership in day-to-day technical operations of the Fabrication Labs.
• Maintain tools, equipment, and related resources used in metalworking, woodworking, and digital fabrication.
• Develop maintenance schedules.
• Train, supervise, and develop student employees in lab resources, safety guidelines, and preferred methods.
• Develop and organize orientation training and mentor student employees.

Benefits

• Benefits are available; the posting refers applicants to the University of Washington staff benefits information for details.
• Opportunities for professional growth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level