Machine Shop Supervisor, McDonald Observatory

utaustin; Utah; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Retirement plan

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Job summary

The McDonald Observatory in Texas is seeking a Machine Shop Supervisor to oversee shop operations, schedule workflows, and supervise staff. You will program CNC machines and ensure high-precision parts meet safety and quality standards.

Applicants should have extensive machining experience, familiarity with MasterCAM and CAD tools, and the ability to communicate clearly with customers and team members. This role is on UT Austin's campus with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years in precision machining or related mechanical/electrical trades.
• 2+ years supervisory experience managing staff and schedules.
• 3+ years operating mills, lathes, grinders and drill presses.
• 3+ years maintaining machine shop equipment and tooling.
• Knowledge of CNC programming and G-code; MasterCAM experience.
• Experience with SolidWorks or Inventor CAD software.
• Strong communication, organization and teamwork skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and adapt to priorities.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily operations of the machine shop and track progress.
• Coordinate purchasing of services, parts, tools, and materials.
• Operate shop tools as needed and maintain drawings and files.
• Coordinate tool repair and maintenance and assist with dome/telescope equipment.
• Provide input on labor and material costs for projects.

Skills

Precision machining

Supervisory experience

CNC programming

G-code

MasterCAM

SolidWorks

Inventor

Precision measurement

Education

Technical or Vocational School

Tools

MasterCAM

SolidWorks

Inventor

Job description

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

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