Lab and Equipment Operations Manager - Siebel Center for Design

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign seeks a Lab and Equipment Operations Manager for the Siebel Center for Design. The role oversees lab spaces, fabrication tools, and AV systems supporting design activities and events.

The position requires managing up to 40 student staff, ensuring safety, equipment maintenance, and coordination of workshops and events. Some evening/weekend hours may be required.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent; 3 years in facility/operations-related roles.
• Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• Experience in fabrication space or production shop is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage lab spaces, fabrication shop, and media studio operations.
• Supervise up to 40 student staff, including training and scheduling.
• Maintain safety/compliance and training programs for staff and users.
• Maintain and set up SCD AV and fabrication equipment; track maintenance and replacements.
• Provide technical setup for classes, workshops, lectures, events, and performances.
• Coordinate event planning and equipment proposals for hosted events.
• Deliver workshops on lab equipment use and safety; occasional evenings/weekends.

Skills

Woodworking tools

CNC routers

3D printing

Laser cutting

CAD/CAM

Audio/visual equipment

Google Suite

Adobe Creative Suite

Large format printing

Design thinking

Prototyping

Innovation strategy

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Google Suite

Adobe Creative Suite

Large format printing

Job description

Lab and Equipment Operations Manager

Siebel Center for Design

The Grainger College of Engineering

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Siebel Center for Design in The Grainger College of Engineering seeks applicants for a Lab and Equipment Operations Manager position.

Primary Position Function

The Lab and Equipment Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management and oversight of the Siebel Center for Design's (SCD) lab spaces, fabrication equipment, and audio/visual systems in support of SCD activities, events, and academic programming. This position ensures that all SCD labs operate safely, effectively, and in alignment with the center's mission to foster interdisciplinary collaboration across the campus.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Lab Operations and Staff Management

• Manage daily scheduling, staffing, and operations of all SCD lab spaces, including a fabrication tool shop, an assembly and construction workshop, equipment checkout and storage spaces, and a media recording studio. Directly supervise, schedule, hire, train, and manage up to 40 student staff working in lab operations, including graduate assistants, hourly employees, and volunteers.
• Maintain all health, safety, and compliance requirements for lab spaces; implement and administer certification and training programs for all staff and users of the labs in accordance with policies.

Equipment Maintenance and Setup

• Maintain and manage all SCD audio/video and recording equipment, including setup and operation of portable monitors, audio, and video equipment for recording labs and special events; track maintenance schedules and develop equipment replacement recommendations.
• Maintain and manage all SCD fabrication lab equipment and supplies, including a CNC router, water-jet cutter, laser cutters, advanced printers, 3D printers, woodworking tools, a spray booth, and additional equipment; maintain inventory systems and support data-informed procurement decisions.

SCD Events and Activities Support

• Provide technical setup and support for all SCD events and activities, including room configuration and equipment needs for classes, workshops, lectures, performances, and special events.
• Coordinate scheduling and logistical support for hosted events at SCD, including event planning, setup and equipment proposals for receptions, performances, conferences, and student events.
• Deliver training workshops on lab equipment usage, safety protocols, and certification requirements as established by the Associate Director.
• Night and weekend hours are occasionally required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Work will be done in lab spaces shared with other staff, students, and production personnel.
• Ability to move items weighing up to 50 pounds.

Work Schedule, Travel, or Other Job Expectations

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. High School Diploma or equivalent.
2. Any one or combination totaling three (3) years (36 months) from the categories below:
   1. College course work in facility management, operations management, or a closely related field, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
      • 60 semester hours or an Associate's Degree equals one (1) year (12 months)
   2. Training from a vocational, technical, or an armed forces program which includes building operations such as coordination of building maintenance, construction management, hospitality, or closely related experience.
   3. Work experience which includes building operations such as coordination of building maintenance and work orders, construction management, hospitality, or closely related experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Three (3) years of experience working in a fabrication space or production shop.
• Experience managing a staff of more than 10 people.
• Experience working in a University setting.
• 10-hour or 30-hour OSHA General Construction Certification; fall protection; personnel lifts; forklift; Haz Comm; PPE; proper lifting techniques.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of woodworking tools, CNC routers, 3D printing, laser cutting technology, and understanding of CAD/CAM processes.
• Working knowledge of audio-visual equipment and classroom technology.
• Experience with Google Suite, Adobe Creative Suite and large format printing.
• Knowledge of the methodologies, practices and tools of design thinking, innovation strategy and prototyping.

Appointment Information

This is a full-time Civil Service 2378 - Facility Operations Coordinator position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The budgeted salary range for this position is $50,310 - $65,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University's Workplace Flexibility policy. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions – every staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence – where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail].

Requisition ID: 1038156

Job Category: Professional and Administrative

Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu