Fabrication Studio Technician

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental & Vision insurance

Life insurance

Retirement contributions

Tuition benefits

Transportation benefit

Wellness program

Campus events

Holiday schedule & breaks

Vacation & sick leave

Community service leave

Job summary

Seattle University is seeking a Studio Technician to manage fabrication lab operations, safety supervision, and student support across campus fabrication spaces. The role emphasizes maintaining safety procedures, budget tracking, and vendor coordination, while providing technical and instructional assistance to students and staff.

You will supervise student workers, schedule labs with academic departments, and ensure compliance with safety policies, while promoting an inclusive maker environment

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, or ceramics/plaster.
• Experience delivering safety instruction and mentoring users.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and work in noise, dust, and vibration.
• Proficiency with digital tools: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Cura, Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Purchase and maintain equipment, tools, and materials using an assigned purchasing card and track expenditures.
• Deliver safety training and maintain safety procedures, SDS, signage, and inventory.
• Supervise student workers and mentor with safety and operational policies.
• Support class assignments and open studio time with technical assistance.
• Maintain tool library, inventory, and hazardous materials labeling.
• Coordinate lab schedules with academic departments and campus services; support exhibitions and installs.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

Woodshop tools: table saw, jointer, planer, bandsaw, routers, sanders

Metal shop tools: MIG/TIG welding, plasma cutter, grinders, shears

Digital fabrication tools: laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC routers

Ceramics/plaster: casting, mold making, ceramic firing, resins and silicone

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

Cura

Google Workspace

Job description

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.

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

• Three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs.
• Life, short & long-term disability coverage.
• Up to a 10% employer contribution for retirement benefits, comprised of a 5% nonelective employer contribution and an additional dollar-for-dollar match of voluntary contributions up to 5%.
• 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents.
• Subsidized transportation benefit.
• Wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility.
• A wide variety of campus events.
• Generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in December.
• Vacation and paid sick leave.
• Paid community service leave.

Work Arrangements

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.

About Seattle University

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.

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.

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.