Fabrication Studio Technician

SU01 Seattle University; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Seattle University is seeking a Studio Technician to oversee fabrication lab operations, safety, and student support. You will mentor student workers, schedule labs, and manage inventory while maintaining a safe, inclusive maker environment on campus.

The role involves hands-on training, equipment demonstrations, and collaboration with faculty to support coursework and exhibitions. Candidates should have relevant education and experience and be able to lift 50 lbs and work in a dynamic lab

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum two years of experience in fabrication studio environments.
• Technical proficiency in woodshop, metal shop, digital fabrication, ceramics/plaster.
• Demonstrated experience delivering safety instruction and mentoring users.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and work in environments involving noise, dust, and vibration.
• Proficiency with digital tools: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Cura, and Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Monitor lab usage and maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free environment.
• Deliver safety training and demonstrations on fabrication tools and materials.
• Maintain documentation including Safety Data Sheets (SDS), safety signage, purchase orders, tool reservations, and consumable supplies inventory.
• Track tool and process authorizations and ensure every individual’s compliance with safety protocols.
• Promote and model best practices in studio safety and foster a welcoming, inclusive maker environment.
• Cleaning and care of entire fabrication studio including specialty vendor coordination, dust collection system, and janitorial responsibilities.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to support class assignments and open studio time.
• Provide technical assistance and in-the-moment demonstrations to students using equipment such as table saws, band saws, laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC routers, welding systems, and casting materials.
• Serve as a resource for project planning, fabrication strategy, and tool/material selection for students, faculty, and staff.
• Monitor studio inventory; order tools, materials, and consumables using an assigned purchasing card.
• Track and document budget expenditures and material usage.
• Perform and document regular maintenance on machinery and tools.
• Coordinate service and repairs for specialized equipment.
• Maintain tool library and oversee appropriate storage and labeling of hazardous materials.
• Hire, train, and schedule student employees to support lab operations.
• Provide ongoing mentorship and ensure adherence to safety and operational policies.
• Support student employee development through technical skill-building and leadership opportunities.
• Coordinate lab schedules in collaboration with academic departments and campus services.
• Support exhibitions and installations including BFA shows and other events.
• Communicate operational needs and updates with the Manager and Operations teams.
• Engage in professional development opportunities, both as recommended by supervisors and through self-initiated learning to support growth and performance.

Job description

Months Per Year: 12 Work Model: Onsite

Seattle University will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. We embrace an intersectional framework for defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin and physical ability. Seattle University strives to be a welcome, open and safe campus climate for all who learn, live and work at Seattle University.

Seattle University's Core Competencies

Effective Team Collaboration: Works harmoniously with others towards a common goal, leveraging individual strengths to achieve shared objectives.

Emotionally Intelligent Communication: Engages in a skillful exchange of information, thoughts, and feelings, verbally and non-verbally.

Ethics and Integrity: Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to honesty, professionalism, and alignment with our Jesuit mission in all actions and decisions.

Flexibility and Innovation: Embraces change, approaching problems with curiosity adaptability, and is committed to making a positive impact.

Mindful Inclusion: Fosters mindful inclusion by consciously creating a workplace that celebrates differences, embraces cultural humility, and empowers uniqueness.

Outcomes-Driven Orientation: Sets clear objectives, pursues excellence, and delivers measurable outcomes while upholding Jesuit Catholic values.

Position Description

Key responsibilities include equipment, tool, and materials purchasing and maintenance using an assigned purchasing card, budget tracking, delivering safety training and maintaining written safety procedures, supervising student workers, and coordinating scheduling with academic departments to support both coursework and independent student work. The Technician ensures a safe, clean, supportive, and productive community studio environment, fosters a culture of best practices in fabrication safety, and provides technical and fabrication support for installation projects in college art galleries, classrooms, and visual arts spaces.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Studio Operations and Safety Supervision

Monitor lab usage and maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free environment.

Deliver safety training and demonstrations on all fabrication tools and materials.

Maintain documentation including Safety Data Sheets (SDS), safety signage, purchase orders, tool reservations, and consumable supplies inventory.

Track tool and process authorizations and ensure every individual’s compliance with safety protocols.

Promote and model best practices in studio safety and foster a welcoming, inclusive maker environment.

Cleaning and care of entire fabrication studio including specialty vendor coordination, dust collection system, and janitorial responsibilities.

Instructional and Technical Support

Collaborate with faculty and staff to support class assignments and open studio time.

Provide technical assistance and in-the-moment demonstrations to students using equipment such as table saws, band saws, laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC routers, welding systems, and casting materials.

Serve as a resource for project planning, fabrication strategy, and tool/material selection for students, faculty, and staff.

Equipment and Facility Maintenance

Monitor studio inventory; order tools, materials, and consumables using an assigned purchasing card.

Track and document budget expenditures and material usage.

Perform and document regular maintenance on machinery and tools.

Coordinate service and repairs for specialized equipment.

Maintain tool library and oversee appropriate storage and labeling of hazardous materials.

Student Employee Supervision and Mentorship

Hire, train, and schedule student employees to support lab operations.

Provide ongoing mentorship and ensure adherence to safety and operational policies.

Support student employee development through technical skill-building and leadership opportunities.

Administrative Support and Campus Engagement

Coordinate lab schedules in collaboration with academic departments and campus services.

Support exhibitions and installations including BFA shows and other events.

Communicate operational needs and updates with the Manager and Operations teams.

Engage in professional development opportunities, both as recommended by supervisors and through self-initiated learning to support growth and performance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum two years of experience in fabrication studio environments.
• Technical proficiency in at least two of the following areas, with working knowledge across others: Woodshop: table saw, jointer, planer, bandsaw, routers, sanders, etc. Metal shop: MIG/TIG welding, plasma cutter, grinders, shears, etc. Digital fabrication: laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC routers. Ceramics/plaster: casting, mold making, ceramic firing, use of resins and silicone.
• Demonstrated experience delivering safety instruction and mentoring users.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and work in environments involving noise, dust, and vibration.
• Proficiency with digital tools: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Cura, and Google Workspace.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in an educational or makerspace environment.
• Advanced degree in Art, Design, Engineering, or related field.
• Experience using AutoCAD or other 3D modeling software.
• Familiarity with higher education environments, student-centered learning, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Experience with budget tracking, purchase management, and inventory management.
• CPR and First Aid certification or willingness to obtain.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Regularly required to stand for extended periods and lift/move up to 50 lbs. Exposure to chemicals, machine noise, particulate matter, and mechanical tools. Work may require flexible scheduling, including some nights and weekends.

Compensation at a Glance

$52,000 - $58,000 Seattle University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, and not based on a candidate’s gender or any other protected status. Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Seattle University provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your total compensation package.

Benefits at a Glance

• Consistent with its fundamental Jesuit values, Seattle University offers a wide range of benefits designed to care for the whole person.
• Choose from three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs.
• Protect your income with life, short & long-term disability coverage.
• Plan for your future with up to a 10% employer contribution for retirement benefits, comprised of a 5% nonelective employer contribution and an additional dollar-for-dollar match of your voluntary contributions up to a maximum of 5%.
• You may also take advantage of 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents, a subsidized transportation benefit, a wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility, and a wide variety of campus events.
• Enjoy a generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in December, vacation and paid sick leave, and paid community service leave.
• For more information explore the Benefits website at: https://www.seattleu.edu/hr/benefits/

Positions designated as hybrid eligible may offer the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule after successful completion of an introductory period of 3–6 months. In these cases, the role typically begins fully on campus to support onboarding and training, with the potential to transition to a hybrid arrangement thereafter. Positions designated as on-site are not eligible for hybrid work and are expected to remain fully on campus. All flexible work arrangements are subject to periodic review and may be modified or discontinued at any time at the university’s discretion.

With a career at Seattle University, you’re joining a community of passionate people dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders and thinkers.

Founded in 1891, Seattle University is a Jesuit Catholic university located on a beautiful campus of more than 50 acres in the dynamic heart of Seattle. Our diverse and driven population is made up of more than 7,200 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs within six schools and colleges.

Seattle University is an equal opportunity employer. In support of its pursuit of academic and scholarly excellence, Seattle University is committed to creating a diverse community of students, faculty and staff that is dedicated to the fundamental principles of equal opportunity and treatment in education and employment regardless of age, color, disability, gender identity, national origin, political ideology, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The university encourages applications from, and nominations of, individuals who will further enrich the diversity of our educational community.

Our Mission

Seattle University is dedicated to educating the whole person, to professional formation, and to empowering leaders for a just and humane world.

Our Vision

We will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels.

Our Values

• Care – We put the good of students first.
• Academic Excellence – We value excellence in learning with great teachers who are active scholars.
• Diversity – We celebrate educational excellence achieved through diversity.
• Faith – We treasure our Jesuit Catholic ethos and the enrichment from many faiths of our university community.
• Justice – We foster a concern for justice and the competence to promote it.
• Leadership – We seek to develop responsible leaders committed to the common good.