Innovation Lab & Makerspace Lead (Design Thinking)

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Cristo Rey Jesuit Milwaukee is seeking an Innovation Lab Specialist to manage the school's Innovation Lab and Digital Production Lab, ensuring equipment is safe and available for hands-on learning. You will guide students and teachers through design-thinking activities, maintain tools, and foster a collaborative environment where students grow as leaders.

Working with faculty, you will develop safety training, coordinate access via a shared calendar, and create engaging programming for students,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher required.
• Strong curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, making, and sharing knowledge.
• Hands-on problem-solving mindset with interest in project-based learning and design work.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently in a dynamic school environment.
• Interest in developing and growing a high school makerspace or innovation program.
• Experience in a makerspace preferred; strong familiarity with digital tools, software, and hardware also valued.
• Basic programming experience preferred.
• Experience with fabrication tools, robotics, or engineering programs (e.g., FIRST Robotics) is a plus.
• Teaching, coaching, or facilitation experience is a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, including documenting processes and presenting information.
• Spanish proficiency is an asset.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a developing program environment.
• Commitment to the mission and values of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School.
• Strong commitment to working with high school students and supporting their growth and success.
• Cultural humility and sensitivity to diverse racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and maintain Cristo Rey Jesuit's makerspaces, ensuring tools are safe, functional, organized, and available for student and faculty learning.
• Develop and manage a safety training and certification system to ensure safe use of equipment.
• Manage the equipment checkout and project purchasing processes, and inventory.
• Engage in training and professional development, and arrange training for staff to use lab machines.
• Coordinate access to the lab and equipment for teachers via a shared calendar and reservation system.
• Engage with teachers to provide advice on integrating lab machines into class projects.
• Promote the use of the Innovation Lab to expand curricular integration and extracurricular participation.
• Supervise lab access for students during midday and after school periods.
• Develop and deliver programming for students, teachers, and families to learn specific equipment.
• Support the Director of Innovation with guest speaker coordination, extracurricular planning, and field trips.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Curiosity

Hands-on learning

Project-based learning

Collaboration

Design thinking

Education experience

Spanish proficiency

Communication skills

Safety training

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

Tormach CNC Router

Roland vinyl printer

DTF Printer

3D printers

Cameras and drones

Laptops and iPads

VR/AR equipment

Job description

Cristo Rey Jesuit Milwaukee is seeking an Innovation Lab Specialist to manage the school's Innovation Lab and Digital Production Lab, ensuring equipment is safe and available for hands-on learning. You will guide students and teachers through design-thinking activities, maintain tools, and foster a collaborative environment where students grow as leaders.

Working with faculty, you will develop safety training, coordinate access via a shared calendar, and create engaging programming for students,