Machine Shop Supervisor, McDonald Observatory

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin seeks a Machine Shop Supervisor for the McDonald Observatory to oversee the engineering shop, scheduling, and daily operations on campus. You will coordinate tools, materials, and project progress while ensuring safety and quality in fabricating precision parts.

Qualifications include 10+ years in precision machining with 2+ years in supervision, CNC programming (G-code), MasterCAM, and CAD tools such as SolidWorks or Inventor.

Qualifications

• Technical or Vocational School training is required.
• 10+ years of precision machining and related maintenance experience.
• 2+ years supervisory experience and scheduling responsibilities.
• 3+ years operating manual machine tools (mills, lathes, grinders, drills).
• 3+ years maintaining and repairing machine shop equipment and tooling.
• Familiarity with CNC programming and G-code; MasterCAM experience.
• SolidWorks and/or Inventor CAD knowledge.
• Ability to use precision measuring tools and verify tight tolerances.
• Strong documentation, tracking, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily operations of the engineering machine shop.
• Coordinate parts, tools, materials; provide cost estimates for projects.
• Operate machine tools as needed and maintain drawing files.
• Coordinate tool repair and preventive maintenance.
• Assist with dome and telescope equipment maintenance and department facilities.

Skills

Precision machining

Supervisory experience

Manual machine tools

CNC programming

MasterCAM

SolidWorks / Inventor

Precision measuring tools

Documentation & records

Communication skills

Education

Technical or Vocational School

Tools

MasterCAM

SolidWorks

Inventor

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Machine Shop Supervisor, McDonald Observatory

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.

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and if this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.