Manager of Laboratory Facilities – Mechanical Engineering

Loyola Marymount University•Lewisboro, NY

1d•$89,100 - $120,400

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Manager of Laboratory Facilities manages, operates, and maintains fabrication-related and machine shop teaching and research laboratories and equipment in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The position supports manufacturing needs for courses, faculty and student research, capstone projects, and student design projects. It provides instructional and project assistance, technical guidance, and equipment training to students, faculty, and staff, and trains and supervises Work Study students and Teaching Assistants. The position maintains efficient, orderly, safe, and compliant laboratory facilities and equipment. Duties include preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, calibration, minor repairs, inventory control, purchasing and recommending equipment, and constructing or modifying equipment and fixtures. The role also supports course preparation and delivery, research and design projects, laboratory safety, and the effective scheduling and operation of shared facilities. While primarily supporting Mechanical Engineering, the position may assist the Seaver College of Science and Engineering more broadly when capacity permits and the supervisor approves. The position typically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering technology or a related field, or two years of trade school/technical arts training with machine shop equipment, and at least three years of progressively responsible journey-level equipment operation, maintenance, and repair experience. Relevant apprenticeship completion or full military specialization may substitute for experience. The role requires familiarity with manufacturing and machine shop equipment, technical drawings and tolerances, CAD and CNC programming, precision measurement tools, electronics and mechanics, and strong troubleshooting, communication, teamwork, and student-support skills. Physical demands include frequent standing and walking and occasional lifting, carrying, or pushing 25–50 pounds. The work environment is described as normal.

Requirements

Typically, a bachelor's degree in engineering technology or a related field, or two years of trade school/technical arts training with machine shop equipment.
At least three years of progressively responsible journey-level experience operating, maintaining, and repairing equipment. Completion of an apprenticeship program or a full military specialization in the required equipment maintenance and repair may substitute for experience.
Familiarity with computer numerical control machines, manual machine tools, welding and forming tools, and controllers/process controllers and their interfaces with mechanical processes.
Familiarity with manufacturing and machine shop equipment, including manual and CNC mills, lathes, wire EDM, water jet, laser cutter, band saw, drill press, sheet metal forming equipment, grinding and polishing wheels, welding equipment, and hand tools.
Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with a diverse student body, faculty, and staff, and to support women and other underrepresented groups in engineering while tolerating no harassment or discrimination.
Strong troubleshooting skills.
Demonstrated understanding of technical drawings, dimensioning, and tolerances.
Competency in SolidWorks CAD software and CNC machine programming software such as MasterCAM, Virtual Gibbs, or SolidCAM.
Ability to use precision measurement tools such as calipers, micrometers, feeler gauges, and dial indicators.
Strong understanding of electronics and mechanics.
Basic computer skills, including email, internet, and spreadsheets.
Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to apply technical skills directly.
Ability to work with faculty, supervise and engage students in laboratories, and be thoroughly familiar with standard practices in mechanical engineering laboratories.
Ability to work well as part of a team.
Exemplary written and oral communication skills.
Proven technical aptitude, problem-solving skills, and teamwork skills.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands, including occasional lifting, carrying, and pushing of 25–50 pounds; reasonable accommodations may be made.

Responsibilities

Manage, operate, and maintain fabrication-related and machine shop teaching and research laboratories and equipment.
Support Mechanical Engineering courses with manufacturing needs by helping plan and prepare course delivery, developing manufacturing exercises and learning activities, setting up equipment, conducting demonstrations and training, and designing or fabricating instructional tools and fixtures.
Support faculty and student research and design projects by assisting with manufacturing components and experimental setups, helping select manufacturing methods, training and supervising students, and designing or fabricating testing fixtures.
Ensure compliance with safety regulations by orienting users, supervising safe equipment use, training faculty and students, maintaining training and usage logs, and advising on personal protective equipment and the safe handling, storage, and disposal of potentially hazardous chemicals.
Organize laboratory equipment and maintain its operating condition, inventory, and calibration; troubleshoot malfunctions, make minor repairs, recommend vendors for major repairs, and assist with equipment purchasing recommendations.
Maintain clean, organized laboratory facilities; purchase consumables, maintain accessible inventories, review relevant documentation, collaborate on shared-facility scheduling, and advise on supply orders.
Train, oversee, and supervise graduate and undergraduate Work Study students and Teaching Assistants, ensuring they follow operational and safety instructions.
Represent LMU within the engineering community and at professional organizations or associations, and serve on committees as requested.
Perform other duties in laboratory, classroom, and research laboratory settings.
Model professional, responsible, accountable, and ethical conduct, support the university's mission and values, and demonstrate outstanding customer service.