Engineering Machinist/Laboratory Technician

Colorado Mesa University; United States; On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado Mesa University is seeking an Engineering Machinist/Laboratory Technician to oversee the machine shop and laboratories in Confluence Hall. This 0.8 FTE, 10-month role ensures safe, well‑maintained facilities and supports hands‑on fabrication for engineering students, including capstone projects.

Responsibilities include safety compliance, equipment maintenance, CAD/CAM support (SolidWorks), and supervising student staff, with an associate degree and relevant experience required.

Qualifications

• Safe operation of shop and labs in a university setting.
• Proficiency with CAD/CAM software (SolidWorks or similar).
• Ability to supervise student assistants and manage shop resources.

Responsibilities

• Oversee machine shop and laboratories for Engineering programs.
• Ensure safety compliance for all users in Confluence Hall.
• Set up and operate manual and CNC machines; assist with fabrication.
• Manage 3D printing and equipment maintenance; mentor students.

Skills

Safety compliance

CAD/CAM support

Student supervision

Equipment maintenance

Education

Associate's degree in a technical field

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

ANNOUNCMENT OF POSITION VACANCY FLSA Status: United States of America (Exempt) Compensation: $50,000-$60,000 Commensurate with education and experience. Excellent health and retirement benefits package: Click here for more information!

SECTION I - OUR VALUES

At CMU, we believe in acting from a foundation of goodwill. This belief gives us the courage to form meaningful relationships, embark on joint endeavors and take risks in the pursuit of new possibilities. It’s this courage that enables the Mavily to explore new ways of thinking and doing, knowing that there is no perfect solution, no perfect idea. From this place of humility and courage, we’ve built a culture of resilience. We invest in the future by continuously adapting to change, overcoming challenges, and seizing new opportunities. We recognize that change is constant, and our resilience allows us to embrace it with confidence. Endless curiosity drives us to approach the unexpected as if it were expected, seeing opportunities for discovery and renewal in every challenge. In this community rooted in love and dignity, curiosity thrives, leading to endless opportunities for growth and advancement. Inspired by the soul of the West—the spirit that our region embodies—we emerge as a force for positive change, harnessing our collective power to build a Human Scale University that reflects our values and brings to life our shared vision of the world we aspire to create.

Colorado Mesa University Core Values

• Love - Extending oneself for nurturing the growth of self and others
• Dignity - Respecting the intrinsic value of each person and believing that others act from a foundation of goodwill
• Courage - Taking risks in the pursuit of new possibilities
• Humility - Suspending one’s ego and pride to recognize that no idea is perfect and being open to the input of others
• Resiliency - Investing in the future by adapting to changes, overcoming challenges and pursuing Opportunity
• Curiosity - Cultivating awe and exploring the unknown
• Power - The strength to act collaboratively with individual agency to achieve our goals

SECTION II – THE SEAT

At CMU, we look at every position as a seat. Every seat is vital and the individual in the seat contributes significantly to our mission of providing an affordable and accessible education and forming meaningful and mutually enriching partnerships that support the well‑being and vibrancy of our community. As a human centric organization, a priority is to ensure we have the “right seats” in our organization, and that the expectations, ownership and accountabilities are defined and communicated clearly for the success of the individuals holding the seats.

The Engineering Machinist/Laboratory Technician reports to the Department Head of Computer Science and Engineering and is responsible for managing and overseeing students' use of the Engineering Program's machine shop and laboratories. This position ensures safe, well‑maintained shop and laboratory facilities that support coursework‑related and extracurricular activities across the Engineering programs, including first‑year, junior‑level, and senior capstone design, faculty research, and student competition teams. This is a 0.8 FTE, 10‑month position, with time off during the summer months when instructional labs are not in session. Salary is spread evenly across all 12 months of the year for consistent paychecks. Working hours are typically Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM between Aug 1 and May 31. If you take pride in your craftsmanship, enjoy mentoring students, and bring strong safety judgment to a hands‑on fabrication environment, we encourage you to apply.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

• Ensure safety compliance for all faculty, staff, and students working in Confluence Hall
• Maintain and grow technical expertise and equipment proficiency
• Demonstrate independent follow-through on long‑term projects, with initiative to identify improvement opportunities, seek solutions, and implement change in the shop and labs
• Interface with CMU’s Facilities Department to troubleshoot and maintain building infrastructure

Safety & Training

• Write, review, assess, and apply safety plans for shop and laboratory environments
• Develop and deliver shop safety procedures and training for students from diverse technical backgrounds
• Provide safety supervision in the shop
• Manage hazardous waste and partner with campus risk management to ensure compliance with regulations governing hazardous materials, safe working practices, and reporting requirements
• Monitor and restock first aid kits in Confluence Hall

Shop & Equipment Operations

• Review student designs for manufacturability and work with them to improve their design and select the right process for the design
• Apply CAD/CAM software (SolidWorks or similar) to support project fabrication
• Set up and operate manual and CNC metalworking machines, woodworking machines, hand tools, and welding equipment (TIG, MIG, oxy‑acetylene, plasma)
• Troubleshoot, maintain, and perform routine repair of engineering laboratory equipment, including but not limited to the universal testing machine, wind tunnel, 3D printers, etc.
• Manage department 3D printing operations, including printer maintenance and calibration, consumables inventory (filament, resin, build plates), coordination of student/faculty print file submissions, and tracking print job completion and queue
• Guide students in proper machine/tool protocols and assist with fabrication for course projects, including first‑year, junior‑level, and senior/capstone design, and student competition teams

Inventory & Resource Management

• Manage tool crib and equipment inventory
• Develop and maintain a student tool checkout procedure, including tracking issued/returned tools and equipment
• Procure parts and supplies within department‑approved budget; track costs and spend prudently (all purchases require Department Head approval)
• Monitor equipment usage policies and conduct routine inspections

Supervision of Student Assistants

• Hire, train, and supervise student employees to assist in shop operations
• Track student employee hours against the department's student‑assistant budget to ensure adequate funding across fall and spring semesters
• Other duties may be assigned as needed.

ROLES

• Safety & Training
• Shop & Equipment Operations
• Inventory & Resource Management
• Supervision of Student Assistants

Accountability to Results

The Engineering Machinist/Laboratory Technician is accountable for delivering the following outcomes on metrics such as:

• Serious/recordable injury rate in the shop and labs – 0%
• Student safety training completion rate prior to independent equipment use – 100%
• Shop and tool crib supervision coverage during posted operating hours – 100%
• Unplanned equipment downtime – less than 95% of scheduled shop/lab hours
• Expected Rock (quarterly goals) completion – 80%
• Additional metrics and results may be assigned as needed.

Core Processes Owned

• Shop and lab safety compliance (training, hazardous waste, regulatory reporting)
• Equipment maintenance and repair (shop machinery, 3D printers, engineering lab instrumentation)
• Student tool checkout and equipment use oversight
• Inventory management (tools, consumables, equipment)
• Student assistant recruiting, hiring, scheduling, and supervision

Contributor

Procurement and budget tracking for shop/lab supplies

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER - This position description is only a summary of the typical functions of this seat, and not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and areas of accountability.

SECTION III – OUR DESIRES FOR RIGHT FIT

For the success of our mission and our teams, we desire to have individuals who are a “Right Fit” in our seats. We define “Right Fit” as those who embrace our culture, demonstrate our values, understand the seat and what is required. We seek individuals who want this seat, desire to be a part of a bigger vision and have the capacity to be a successful member of our CMU team.

CAPACITY REQUIREMENTS

• Working knowledge of manual and CNC metalworking machines, woodworking machines and hand tools, welding equipment (TIG, MIG, oxy‑acetylene, plasma), 3D printers, and CAD/CAM software (SolidWorks or similar)
• Ability to maintain and grow technical expertise and equipment proficiency
• Demonstrated independent follow-through on long‑term projects
• Demonstrated initiative to identify improvement opportunities, seek solutions, and implement change in the shop and labs
• Willingness to work patiently and safely with students from diverse technical backgrounds, and to mentor them through hands‑on fabrication and design challenges
• Ability to effectively communicate with students and faculty, both orally and in writing
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and develop sustainable solutions
• Ability to regularly lift and carry up to 40–50 lbs; stand and move throughout shop/lab spaces for extended periods; manual dexterity for precision machine work
• Regular use of PPE (safety glasses/face shields, hearing protection, gloves, closed‑toe/steel‑toe footwear) appropriate to task
• Exposure to moving machinery, noise, and fumes/dust/particulates from machining, welding, cutting, and 3D printing processes
• Handling of hazardous materials (welding gases, cutting fluids, resins, solvents) requiring proper safety procedures

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE FOR RIGHT FIT

• Education and Experience: Associate's degree and 4‑years of relevant technical experience
• Familiarity with CNC setup, programming, and operation
• Familiarity with the safe operation and maintenance of general metalworking and woodworking equipment
• Ability to utilize computer technology and Microsoft Office in performing the duties and responsibilities of this position
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from students and faculty
• Knowledge of SolidWorks or other CAD/CAM software

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in an educational environment
• Experience in purchasing procedures
• Experience supervising employees

LANGUAGE SKILLS

The language skills include: Ability to read, analyze and interpret general written materials, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations. Ability to write reports and prepare and conduct verbal and visual presentation of materials. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from top management, public groups, and board of directors.

REASONING ABILITY

Strategic and analytical reasoning skills are necessary. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the individual is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear. The individual must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the individual in this position will encounter while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The individual typically performs the duties of the job in an open office setting. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud at times, with several disruptions throughout the day.

Colorado Mesa University is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and who have a demonstrated commitment to improving the levels of access and success for underrepresented students within higher education.

Colorado Mesa University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history.

Applicant must be able to verify U.S. employment eligibility.

Colorado Mesa University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a culturally diverse faculty, staff and student body. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact the CMU Human Resources Office by phone or email. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and the type of accommodation needed.

A comprehensive university in Grand Junction, Colorado Mesa University provides exceptional educational opportunities on a state‑of‑the‑art campus. As western Colorado’s largest university, CMU serves students on its main campus in Grand Junction, its satellite campus in Montrose, its technical college, CMU Tech, and via online offerings. Colorado Mesa University serves as the primary intellectual and cultural center of western Colorado and promotes the exchange of ideas that are of regional, national, and international importance. Founded in 1925, it is a dynamic university enrolling 10,000 students at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels. At the heart of the CMU experience is an integrative and experiential approach to higher education that encourages students to think differently and empowers them to challenge assumptions. CMU brings students together with expert scholars and thinkers from different disciplines to make connections between ideas and gain the skills to solve the unstructured, complex problems they will encounter in life. Our focus is on providing quality academic programs, built on a strong liberal arts core that supports students’ interests and regional employment needs, as well as technical programs that respond to vocational workforce demands. The Grand Valley is home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the state of Colorado and you will not have to fight traffic and crowds to enjoy it. CMU is surrounded by the Grand Mesa, Book Cliffs, and the Colorado National Monument. We have world‑class mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, rafting, and a mountain resort that’s less than 45 minutes from campus for skiing, snowboarding, and cross‑country skiing. Living and working in Grand Junction, you will be able to explore one of Colorado’s best kept secrets.