Engineering Student Machine Shop Instructor

University of Waterloo; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 73,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Waterloo seeks an Engineering Student Machine Shop Instructor to teach and supervise machining labs for undergraduate and graduate students. The primary locations are Engineering 7 and the Engineering Student Machine Shop in Engineering 5, with potential duties in the Wood Shop in E5.

The role emphasizes safety, mentoring, and equipment oversight. This is a temporary 1-year contract requiring extensive machining expertise, strong teaching ability, and the capacity to manage

Qualifications

• High school diploma and a trades certificate in machining or related field.
• 7+ years experience in metalworking machinery and related skills.
• Extensive teaching/mentoring experience in a shop setting is required.

Responsibilities

• Teach machining techniques to students individually or in small groups.
• Review designs before machining, ensuring safety and manufacturability.
• Supervise shop users and enforce safety regulations and PPE usage.
• Maintain and inspect shop equipment and inventory.

Skills

Teaching experience

Mentoring

Communication skills

Safety training

Attention to detail

Education

High School Diploma

Ontario Certificate of Qualification (General Machinist / Tool & Die Maker / Mould Maker)

7+ years metalworking experience

Experience teaching/mentoring in a shop setting

Tools

MasterCam

CNC machine tools

Woodworking

Tooling maintenance

Job description

At theUniversity of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day.

Learn more about our recruitment process.

Job Requisition ID:

2026-02440

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Group:

Staff

Job Category:

Academic Delivery Support

Employment Type:

Temporary

Department:

Faculty of Engineering - Dean of Engineering Office - Sedra Student Design Centre

Hiring Range:

$72,523.53 - $90,654.42

Posting Information:

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Term: 1 year

This position is being offered as a temporary contract

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Engineering Student Machine Shop Instructor teaches the knowledge, demonstrates the skills, as well as approves and enables the activities required for undergraduate and graduate Engineering students and other approved individuals to safely use the equipment and resources of the Engineering Student Shops. The primary location of the job will be the Engineering Project Shop located in Engineering 7 and the Engineering Student Machine Shop located in Engineering 5. Depending on demand, the job may also be located in the Wood Shop in E5.

Key Accountabilities

Teach manufacturing techniques and demonstrate manufacturing skills

• Teach inexperienced students, both individually and in a small group setting, fundamental machining knowledge and fabrication techniques

• Demonstrate the correct use of machine shop equipment and tools

• Give opportunities for practice and demonstrate techniques that enhance and develop students’ machining and fabrication skills

• Establish a mentoring relationship with students who use the shop frequently

Approve student activities, monitor progress and provide feedback

• Respond to questions regarding proper and safe use of machine shop equipment

• Review student designs and drawings and provide feedback that includes safety considerations, manufacturability, skill level, and tooling and equipment requirements prior to giving permission for machining

• Approve equipment set up and monitor progress of machining, especially for new users

• Direct and control student activities, particularly when a machining or fabrication process must be modified or stopped immediately due to safety concerns

Supervise all shop users

• Ensure that all shop users comply with all safety requirements, including maximum occupancy, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), securing loose clothing or long hair, etc.

• Enforce all safety regulations in regards to safe operation of all equipment as specified in the Safety Manual and the Standard Operation Procedures

• Assist the manager with the day to day supervision of undergraduate co-op students

• Provide assistance for instructors and staff as they host learning activities within the facilities of the Engineering Design Clinic

Maintain machine shop equipment and inventory

• Ensure that all shop equipment is in safe working order, i.e. performing routine pre-use inspections, verifying safety features are in place and adjusted properly, and notifying the Manager of any deficiencies

• Perform regular scheduled maintenance and repairs of equipment as required

• Assist the Manager with monthly safety inspections

• Maintain inventory of tooling and shop supplies that are available to students

• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma and a Certificate of Qualification (Ontario preferred) in one of the following trades: General Machinist, Tool & Die Maker, Mould Maker

• 7+ years of demonstrated experience in a broad spectrum of metalworking machinery and a suite of skills applicable to the machining / fabricating trades

• Extensive teaching and mentoring experience of students and/or apprentices in a shop setting required

• Highly skilled in all machining and fabrication methods and techniques

• Experience in the tracking and maintaining of supply inventory

• Experience with maintaining and repairing tools and machinery

• Experience programming and operating CNC machine tools in combination with expertise using current versions of MasterCam is an asset

• Experience with wood working and CNC routers is an asset

• Basic MS Office skills

• Excellent communication skills to train and demonstrate machining skills to both individual or small groups

• Comfortable with providing constructive feedback to students

• Ability to maintain attention to detail in a fast paced, multitasking environment

• Ability to manage multiple, competing priorities

• Confident problem-solving abilities

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.