Makerspace Engineer

William & Mary; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

William & Mary is seeking a Makerspace Engineer to support the operation, maintenance, and growth of the university's makerspaces. The role involves hands-on training, workshops, and supporting courses and student projects while promoting safe and effective use of fabrication equipment.

The candidate will mentor student engineers, assist with daily facility operations, and collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to advance innovation, research, and experiential learning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, engineering technology, or related technical field.
• Experience operating and maintaining fabrication equipment.
• Ability to teach and mentor students, staff, and faculty.
• Knowledge of shop safety practices and enforcing safety procedures.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Experience in university makerspace or educational facility operations is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Teach hands-on courses and workshops in fabrication.
• Train students, faculty, and staff in the safe use of equipment.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair makerspace equipment.
• Support daily facility operations and programming.
• Mentor student engineers and lead in operations and outreach.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to advance innovation.

Skills

Teaching experience

Mentoring students

Hands-on fabrication

Safety training

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

Laser cutters

CNC routers

3D printers

CAD/CAM software

Job description

Job Description Summary

The School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics (CDSP), through its initiatives and activities, marshals the disciplinary areas involved to meet the most pressing needs of our time. The School provides a vibrant and inclusive community for faculty teaching and conducting research and for students pursuing programs in the fields of applied science, computer science, data science, and physics.

Job Description

The Makerspace Engineer supports the operation, maintenance, and growth of the university's makerspaces by providing technical expertise, instruction, and operational leadership. This position delivers hands-on training and workshops, supports courses and student projects, maintains and repairs fabrication equipment, and promotes the safe and effective use of makerspace resources. The Makerspace Engineer also mentor's student engineers, supports daily facility operations, and collaborates with faculty, staff, and students to advance innovation, research, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning. Candidates should have experience with digital fabrication, prototyping, manufacturing, or machine shop operations and a passion for teaching and supporting a diverse academic community.

The Makerspace Engineer supports the Director in the operation, maintenance, instruction, and continued development of the university's makerspaces. Additionally, the makerspace engineer helps lead the makerspace student engineers in operations, training and support. Responsibilities include teaching and supporting hands‑on courses and workshops; training students, faculty, and staff in the safe and effective use of fabrication equipment; maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing makerspace equipment; supervising facility operations; developing educational programming and outreach activities; and supporting student design, research, entrepreneurial, and capstone projects.

The successful candidate will possess strong technical skills in one or more areas of digital fabrication, prototyping, manufacturing, or machine shop operations. Desired experience includes operation and maintenance of equipment such as laser cutters, CNC routers and mills, additive manufacturing systems (3D printers), woodworking machinery, welding and metalworking equipment, electronics prototyping tools, and associated design software (e.g., CAD/CAM). Candidates should demonstrate the ability to teach technical concepts, mentor student project teams, troubleshoot complex equipment, and maintain a safe and inclusive learning environment. Experience with makerspace, laboratories, shop, or educational facility operations is highly desirable.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial Technology, Manufacturing, Industrial Design, Architecture, STEM Education, or a related technical field.
• Any equivalent combination of education, technical certifications, and relevant professional experience may be considered.
• Experience operating and maintaining fabrication equipment.
• Knowledge of shops, laboratories, or makerspace safety practices.
• Demonstrated ability to enforce safety procedures and maintain a safe working environment.
• Experience teaching, training, or mentoring students, staff, or customers in the safe and effective use of technical equipment.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to users with varying levels of experience.
• Strong organizational, communication, and customer-service skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical Background: Demonstrated experience maintaining, troubleshooting, and operating advanced fabrication equipment. Strong preference for candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas: CNC machining (routers, mills, lathes, or CAM workflows)
• Laser cutting and engraving systems (CO₂ and/or fiber lasers)
• Electrical engineering or electromechanical systems, including machine controls, motion systems, sensors, and low-voltage troubleshooting
• Industrial automation, mechatronics, or machine integration
• Prior experience working in a university makerspace, fabrication laboratory, machine shop, innovation center, or STEM education environment.
• Experience developing workshops, training programs, or experiential learning opportunities.
• Expertise in multiple fabrication disciplines, including Advanced CNC machining, TIG/MIG welding and Electronics and embedded systems
• Experience supervising student employees, interns, technicians, or teaching assistants.
• Experience managing facility operations, scheduling, inventory, budge