Machinist-Instrument Maker Level III

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR); Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 73,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Job summary

UCAR is seeking a Machinist-Instrument Maker Level III to perform advanced high-precision machining for research instruments in the DFS shop. This role collaborates with scientists and engineers to develop manufacturable solutions and may lead fabrication projects.

The position requires extensive experience in machining, CAD review, GD&T, and CAM programming, with on-site work at Foothills Lab in Boulder, CO. Hybrid flexibility is limited; all work occurs in the U.S.

Qualifications

• Completion of a relevant machine trade vocational program and 6+ years of high precision machine trade experience.
• Ability to plan, perform high-precision machining and fabrication for research instruments.
• Experience with CAD models, engineering drawings, GD&T, and manufacturability evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Plan, program, set up, operate, and troubleshoot CNC and manual machine tools to produce complex, high-precision research instruments.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, designers, technicians, and other instrument makers on instrument design and development.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring; may act as project leader on fabrication projects and ensure safety compliance.

Skills

Machinist trades

CNC programming

GD&T knowledge

Fabrication of components

Tooling & fixtures design

Project leadership

Communication skills

Education

Machine trade vocational program

Tools

GibbsCAM

CNC machines

Precision inspection equipment

Job description

Position Type: Term - 6 months or more (Fixed Term)

Visa Sponsored Job: No

Relocation Assistance Eligible: No

Hiring Range: 73,140.00 USD - 91,430.00 USD

*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.

Application Closes at 12:00am MST on: 2026-10-19

About the Role

UCAR is excited to announce the job opening for the Machinist-Instrument Maker Level III role. This position serves as an advanced Machinist- Instrument Maker within Design and Fabrication Services (DFS). Receives broad direction to plan and perform complex high-precision machining and fabrication for research and prototype instruments using advanced knowledge of machining, materials, CNC programming, inspection, and fabrication methods. Collaborates with scientists, engineers, designers, and technical staff to develop manufacturable solutions, contributes at the design level, provides technical guidance to other shop personnel as needed, and may serve as project leader on designated fabrication projects.

EOL is NSF NCAR's observational enterprise, serving as a vital hub for scientific discovery and technological innovation in the atmospheric and Earth sciences. The majority of NSF's Lower Atmosphere Observing Facilities (LAOF), part of the NSF Facilities for Atmospheric Research and Education (FARE) Program, are managed and operated by EOL. Through deployment of these assets, paired with a program for innovation in instrument development, signal processing, and discovery science, EOL provides US researchers with comprehensive, end-to-end solutions that have significant global implications for understanding our planet's atmospheric systems.

The NSF NCAR Gulfstream V and C-130 aircraft serve as airborne laboratories equipped with advanced instrumentation capable of capturing data across diverse spatial and geographical contexts. On the ground, in-situ and remote sensing instrumentation probe surface and boundary layer dynamics and enable thermodynamic profiling through flexible, state-of-the-art backbone measurement capabilities and science. Through comprehensive archival and stewardship services, EOL ensures that scientific data from NSF-funded and other field campaigns are not only preserved and analyzed but also shared widely. Design and fabrication services enable engineers and scientists to work together to develop, create and deploy innovative instrumentation and sampling approaches to address emerging research challenges.

Job Description

Application Deadline

This job will be posted for two weeks from the posting date.

Background Checks: Conducted for candidates selected for hire.

Work Location: Foothills Lab Location in Boulder, CO. Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

What You Will Do

Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Plans, programs, sets up, operates, and troubleshoots CNC and manual machine tools and other fabrication equipment to produce complex, high-precision research instruments, prototypes, and components. Performs advanced CNC/CAM programming for multi-axis machining centers; develops work holding, jigs, and fixtures; selects materials, tooling, feeds, speeds, and fabrication sequences; and uses precision inspection equipment to verify conformance to drawings, tolerances, and quality requirements.
• Collaborates with scientists, engineers, designers, technicians, and other instrument makers on instrument design and development. Reviews CAD models, engineering drawings, specifications, sketches, and verbal requirements; evaluates manufacturability; recommends design or process changes.
• Provides technical guidance and mentoring to less-experienced shop personnel. May act as project leader on designated shop projects by coordinating fabrication activities, communicating status and technical issues, supporting schedule and cost estimates, and helping ensure completed work meets project requirements. Recommends tooling, equipment, and process improvements and performs all work in accordance with applicable shop and OSHA safety requirements.

Who We'd Love To Join Our Team

Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:

Education and Experience (Required)

• Completion of a relevant machine trade vocational program, and at least six years of high precision machine trade experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Required)

• Advanced skill in the Machinist and Instrument Maker trades, including the fabrication of complex, close-tolerance research and prototype components.
• Advanced skill in the set-up and operation of all machine shop equipment, tools and machines used in research/ prototype instrument making
• Extensive knowledge of technical fabrication needs and develops innovative solutions to difficult fabrication problems and complex design issues.
• Proficient in evaluating CAD models, engineering drawings, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), informal sketches, specifications, verbal instructions, tolerances, materials, tooling, and fabrication requirements and determines appropriate machining and fabrication approaches.
• Extensive knowledge of machining, fixturing, inspection, and fabrication processes to improve precision, reliability, efficiency, and machine utilization.
• Extensive knowledge of fabrication techniques, process planning, work holding, fixturing, cutting tools, feeds and speeds, and efficient machining sequences.
• Extensive knowledge of CNC machine operation and advanced CAM/CNC programming, including use of GibbsCAM. Knowledge of metals, plastics, composites, and other engineering materials, including their properties, machinability, and selection for fabrication requirements.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills for communicating fabrication approaches, technical issues, project status, and recommendations.
• Ability to organize and coordinate designated fabrication projects, prioritize assigned work, and manage work within established schedule, cost, scope, and quality requirements.
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations, machine-shop safety practices, and safe operation of manufacturing equipment and tooling.

Preferred Qualifications

Salary Range $71,708 - $89,636

*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role.

Benefits Overview

UCAR offers a comprehensive benefits package: health insurance, dental, retirement plan, leave plans, tuition assistance, and employee assistance programs:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Short & Long Term Disability Insurance
• Generous retirement plan - UCAR contributes of 10% of base salary
• Time Off Plans
  • Minimum 20 days of annual PTO
  • 10 paid holidays
  • 12 weeks of paid parental leave
  • FAMLI Leave
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer

UCAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all individuals. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants are not required to provide age-related information (like date of birth or graduation dates) in initial submissions.

For sponsored positions: UCAR can sponsor individuals for H-1B status only if they are already in the U.S. in H-1B status or another visa status that allows them to change to H-1B status within the U.S. UCAR is unable to sponsor new H-1B visas for individuals who are outside the U.S. and need to obtain H-1B status through Consular Processing.

While UCAR does not prohibit the use of AI tools in job applications, we strongly recommend that applicants submit primarily original work.

All roles require compliance with U.S. export control regulations and work location requirements. All hybrid staff are expected to work on-site approximately 3 days per week.