Machine Shop Supervisor
About The Position
The Machine Shop Supervisor manages the Clark Hall Machine Shop on Cornell University’s Ithaca campus, leading a team of machinists and directing operations across professional and student machine shops. The shop is a self-sustaining, recharge operation serving Cornell students, faculty, and staff, as well as a limited external academic and professional community. The supervisor provides operational oversight and strategic leadership to support and advance the shop’s mission, working with researchers to translate equipment needs into manufacturable parts and CAD models, training students in safe fabrication practices, and developing cost estimates for prototype work. The role combines technical machining and CAD/CAM expertise with staff supervision, customer service, and business-side shop management. It includes coordinating workflows and resources, evaluating projects and manufacturing methods, supporting research and education through precision component fabrication, and maintaining safe, effective shop operations. The position is onsite in Ithaca, New York. Machine-shop work involves hazards from machinery and welding operations, as well as chemicals and materials that may require special handling and controls.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical technology or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant training and on-the-job experience.
- 3–5 years of on-the-job experience in a machine tool trade.
- Experience managing or supervising others, especially technical staff.
- Knowledge and previous use of a wide variety of machining equipment, including manual milling machines and lathes, computer-driven milling machines and lathes, and numerically controlled machine programming.
- Demonstrated proficiency in 2D/3D CAD/CAM software; the shop uses Autodesk products.
- Ability to use and apply machining and fabrication techniques.
- Thorough understanding of a broad range of metals and materials and their characteristics.
- Strong customer service focus and good interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
- Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in an academic machine shop.
- Certified four-year Tool and Die Maker apprenticeship with a supplemental education program.
- Six or more years of experience with machine tools.
- CNC and welding training.
Responsibilities
- Manage a team of highly skilled research machinists.
- Mentor apprentice machinists and provide training and technical guidance.
- Coordinate shop workflow, assign priorities, and allocate resources effectively.
- Ensure compliance with safety standards, university policies, and local regulations.
- Evaluate incoming projects, establish timelines, and recommend appropriate materials and manufacturing processes.
- Manage the student instructional shop and conduct training programs or supervise training staff.
- Collaborate with researchers to design complex custom components and systems and produce precision components.
- Oversee equipment maintenance, repair, or replacement; procure shop materials; and evaluate facility performance.
- Ensure staff remain up to date on required safety training and certifications.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health care options.
- Generous retirement contributions.
- Access to wellness programs.
- Employee discounts with local and national retail brands.
- Health and personal leave.
- Three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays, plus two floating holidays.
- Tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program.
- Tuition aid for external education.
- Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
