Machine Shop Supervisor

University of Texas; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Texas in Austin seeks a Machine Shop Supervisor to lead the engineering machine shop, schedule work, supervise staff, and coordinate fabrication for instruments and telescope equipment.

You will apply CNC programming and MasterCAM skills, oversee tool maintenance, and work with SolidWorks or Inventor CAD to ensure high-precision parts while maintaining safety and quality standards. This is a full-time, on-campus role with strong teamwork.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of precision machining or related trade experience.
• At least 2 years of supervisory experience.
• At least 3 years operating standard manual machine tools (mills, lathes, grinders, drill presses).
• Experience with CNC programming and G-code; MasterCAM knowledge.
• Experience with SolidWorks and/or Inventor CAD software.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated planning, decision-making and project-tracking abilities.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate daily machine shop operations to ensure progress on projects.
• Communicate project progress and issues clearly; respond to inquiries.
• Locate and purchase services, parts, tools, and materials from vendors.
• Operate machine tools as needed; maintain drawing files.
• Coordinate tool repair and maintenance.
• Assist with repair of dome and telescope equipment.
• Maintain vehicle logs and support safety and quality standards.

Skills

CNC programming

G-code

MasterCAM

SolidWorks

Inventor

Supervisory experience

Precision measurement

Project coordination

Education

Technical or Vocational School

Tools

3D CAD software

Job description

**Job Posting Title:**Machine Shop Supervisor, McDonald Observatory**----****Hiring Department:**McDonald Observatory**----****Position Open To:**All Applicants**----****Weekly Scheduled Hours:**40**----****FLSA Status:**Non-Exempt from FLSA**----****Earliest Start Date:**Immediately**----****Position Duration:**Expected to Continue**----****Location:**UT MAIN CAMPUS**----****Job Details:****General Notes**The McDonald Observatory Machine Shop Supervisor is responsible for overseeing scheduling, operations, maintenance, and employee supervision for the Observatory’s machine shop. Knowledge of programming and operating computer numerical control (CNC) machines, as well as manual machines and precision measuring tools, is required to produce high-quality, precision-machined parts while upholding safety and quality standards. Secondary responsibilities include obtaining tools and materials, communicating project progress, advising the shop’s customers on fabrication-related issues, and assisting with other tasks as needed.This position is based on the UT Austin campus. The observatory fosters an environment that emphasizes personal responsibility, continuous improvement, teamwork, innovation, and safety. Applicants selected for interviews are encouraged to bring samples of their work.UT Austin offers a *competitive benefits* package that includes:* 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage.* Retirement contributions: Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)* Paid vacation and sick time.* Paid holidays.* Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered.## **Purpose**Assists the McDonald Observatory's engineering group with tasks related to the design and fabrication of instruments, and assists the Astronomy Department with instructional telescopes, classrooms, and other tasks. Supervises the machine shop, coordinating and developing schedules and workflow to ensure appropriate progress on mechanical engineering projects.## **Responsibilities*** Supervises and coordinates daily operations of the engineering machine shop to ensure appropriate day-to-day progress on the mechanical engineering aspects of projects. Communicates project progress, issues affecting progress and the shop, and responds to inquiries clearly and concisely.* Locate and purchase services, parts, tools, and materials from outside vendors and contractors. Required to drive a UT vehicle to drop off and pick up parts and materials at off-campus locations. Provide labor and material cost estimate input for proposed mechanical engineering projects.* Operate machine tools for part fabrication as needed; maintain organized, up-to-date mechanical drawing files.* Coordinate machine tool repair and maintenance.* Assist the Astronomy Department with the repair and maintenance of dome and telescope equipment, departmental classrooms, and facilities. Maintain vehicle logs. Perform other duties as required to support business operations.## **Required Qualifications*** Technical or Vocational School* At least 10 years of precision machining, mechanical, electrical, or electronic trade experience, including construction and maintenance of sophisticated equipment.* At least 2 years of supervisory experience managing employees, workflow scheduling, and supplies to complete tasks.* At least 3 years of experience operating standard manual machine shop tools, particularly mills, lathes, precision grinders, and drill presses.* At least 3 years of experience maintaining and repairing machine shop equipment and tooling.* Understanding CNC machine tool programming and G-code; working knowledge of MasterCAM software to program CNC machine tools from 3D CAD solid models.* Working knowledge of Solidworks and/or Inventor CAD software.* Ability to use precision measuring tools and techniques to hold and verify tight tolerances on high-quality, precision parts.* Demonstrated record-keeping skills, use of spreadsheets, and project-tracking logs.* Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills.·* Communicate clearly, correctly, and professionally in written text, such as emails and work documents.* Excellent organizational skills and ability to handle multiple deadlines.* Ability to be adaptable, work independently, and serve as an integral member of a project team.* Demonstrable good judgment.* Demonstrated planning, decision-making, and critical-thinking skills.* Regular and punctual attendance.*Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.*## **Preferred Qualifications*** Over three years of experience as a machine shop supervisor.* Journeyman machinist experience.·* Over three years of experience operating standard manual machine shop tools, particularly mills, lathes, precision grinders, and drill presses.·* Experience setting up and operating CNC mills, lathes, and wire EDM machines.* Experience programming CNC machine tools using MasterCAM from 3D solid CAD models.* Ability to read, understand, and edit G-code files.Three years of experience with SolidWorks and Inventor CAD software.·* Five years of experience maintaining and repairing machine shop machines and tooling.## **Driving Required**This job requires a class \"C\" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three-year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident.## **Salary Range**$80,000 + depending on experience and qualifications## **Working Conditions*** Usual machine, scientific, or engineering shop conditions, such as sitting, walking, standing, squatting, stooping, and reaching* Maintains a safe work environment* Follows established procedures as well as quality and safety standards* May be required to work multiple machines simultaneously* May work near high voltage and near rotating and reciprocating equipment.* Exposure to a variety of experimental laboratory shop conditions* Handles deadlines and overlapping projects* May work around chemicals and chemical fumes* May work around electrical and mechanical hazards* May work around standard office conditions* Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation and use of a computer* May work around bio-hazards* May work around hazardous chemicals and cryogenic liquids* Use of manual dexterity* Climbing of stairs* Heavy lifting and moving* Working with heavy machinery* Use of approved safety equipment if required## **Work Shift*** Generally, M-F, 8-hour shift, plus lunch break* May be required to work outside shift hours based on project deadlines* Occasional travel may be required to McDonald Observatory, 16 miles from Fort Davis, Texas (440 miles away from the UT Austin campus)## **Required Materials**Please mark \"yes\" on the application for required materials. Failure to attach all additional materials listed may affect candidates' consideration for the position.* Letter of interest* Resume/CV* 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor## **Application Process*** **Applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers:** You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.* **Current university employees and contingent workers:** As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left-hand navigation menu, and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled into your application. The application is one page, and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.