Machine Shop Tech

Texas A&M University System; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas A&M Engineering Space Institute in Houston seeks a Machine Shop Tech to support daily machine shop operations, coordinate fabrication projects, manage equipment usage, and provide user training and technical assistance to tenants and staff.

Required: a bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, machining or related field, plus 4+ years in machining or fabrication. Helpful: CNC/manual machining, CAD/CAM, precision measurement tools and safety training.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Machining, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Four (4+) years of experience in machining, fabrication, or technical laboratory/shop environments.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily operation of the machine shop.
• Operate CNC mills, lathes, welding tools, and related systems; support fabrication of parts and prototypes.
• Track labor, materials, and equipment utilization to support planning and documentation.
• Perform routine maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting of equipment.
• Maintain shop organization and inventory of materials, tools, and supplies.
• Coordinate scheduling, workflows, and safety procedures.

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Machining, or related field

Tools

CNC milling

CNC lathe

Welding tools

CAD/CAM software

Precision measurement tools

Job description

Job Title

Machine Shop Tech

Agency

Texas A&M Engineering

Department

Space Institute

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Houston, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Why work for Texas A&M Engineering?

Engineering has been part of Texas A&M University since its opening in 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. Today, the College of Engineering is the largest college on the College Station campus with more than 25,000 engineering students enrolled in 15 departments. Its mission is to serve Texas, the nation and the global community by providing engineering graduates who are well-founded in engineering fundamentals, instilled with the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior, and prepared to meet the complex technical challenges of society.

As the research arm of Engineering, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) is a state agency within the Texas A&M University System with a mission to improve lives through basic and applied engineering research, workforce development and technology transition. Our collaborations with industry, academia and government provide cutting-edge solutions to global technical challenges.

We are deeply committed to recruiting and retaining a talented workforce that embraces our core values of Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Service, by offering competitive salaries, an array of benefits, an extensive support network, and above all, an enriching and highly collaborative working community that is deeply passionate about our vision for higher education, research, and public service.

Job Description

Purpose:

The Laboratory Coordinator, under general supervision, supports daily operations of the Texas A&M University Space Institute's machine shop. This position coordinates fabrication activities, equipment usage, maintenance, and user support to ensure efficient and safe operations. The Laboratory Coordinator works under the direction of the Laboratory Manager and provides hands-on technical support to tenants, staff, and users, including assisting with machining, fabrication, and equipment training.

Responsibilities:

Operations

• Assists with daily operation of the machine shop
• Operates machining and fabrication equipment, including CNC mills, lathes, welding tools, and related systems
• Supports fabrication of parts, prototypes, and custom components for tenants and Institute programs
• Tracks labor, materials, equipment utilization, and fabrication activities to support project planning and service documentation
• Performs routine maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting of equipment
• Maintains machine shop organization, and inventory of materials, tools, and supplies
• Supports implementation of SOPs and operational workflows

Administration and Coordination

• Coordinates and tracks work orders, fabrication requests, shop utilization and project activities
• Coordinates materials, supplies, and tooling needed for machine shop activities
• Maintains documentation for machine shop operations, equipment use, maintenance activities, and user access
• Coordinates machine shop scheduling, equipment reservations, and shop resource utilization with tenants and staff
• Assists Laboratory Manager with procurement and operational planning

Safety, Training, and User Support

• Assists in training tenants, staff, and users on proper equipment operation and safety procedures
• Monitors machine shop activity to ensure safe and appropriate use of equipment
• Provides real-time guidance and technical support to users operating machinery
• Supports enforcement of safety procedures and regulatory compliance
• Promotes a clean, organized, and safe working environment

What We Need:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Machining, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Four (4+) years of experience in machining, fabrication, or technical laboratory/shop environments

Other Requirements:

• This position is security sensitive and requires United States Citizenship only.

What is Helpful:

• Experience operating CNC and/or manual machining equipment
• Technical/vocational training in machining or manufacturing
• Experience with robotics, prototyping, or engineering fabrication environments
• Familiarity with CAD/CAM software and precision measurement tools
• Experience supporting multiple users or projects in a shared lab/shop environment

Work Location:

• Houston, TX.

About Space Institute:

The Texas A&M University Space Institute will advance commercial, government, military, and academic research and development partnerships in support of national and international space endeavors. With a $200 million investment from the State of Texas, a 400,000 square foot facility is under construction at NASA-Johnson Space Center's Exploration Park. This unique facility, featuring the world’s largest indoor climate-controlled landscapes to emulate surface operations on the moon and Mars, is expected to open in the fall of 2026 and will support space system research, testing, training, and workforce development initiatives.

Texas A&M Engineering provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:

• Competitive medical insurance benefits through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Prescription coverage by Express Scripts.
• Options for Vision, Dental, Life, and Long-Term Disability insurance.
• A defined benefit retirement plan with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) with 8.25% employer contribution.
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Deferred Account 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation Program 457(b).
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Generous paid time off with holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional development opportunities.
• Tuition assistance and Educational release time to further your academic pursuits.
• Access to Engineer Your Wellness programs that provide opportunities for employees to engage in health and fitness.
• Wellness release time offered to employees to promote work/life balance.

Compensation Philosophy:

• Recruit and retain a high-performing workforce through competitive compensation and career development including career pathing, coaching and skills development.
• Recognize and reward exceptional performance based on individual and team contributions to the growth and success of Texas A&M Engineering.
• Offer total rewards through flexible benefits, professional development, and work-life balance. Maintain an equitable and transparent process for compensation decisions.
• Support, reinforce, and align compensation decisions with budgetary and financial strategies to ensure growth and sustainability.

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 delay of start date.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.