Makerspace Lead & Technical Mentor

University of California San Diego; California, Northern (MO, KY); Hybrid; USD 91,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego seeks a QI Makerspace Specialist to manage shop operations, supervise staff, and mentor users across 3D printing, CAD/CAM, electronics, and machining. The role emphasizes safety, onboarding, and continuous service improvement for the makerspace on campus.

Under the Director, you will coordinate staffing, provide expert guidance, handle recharge/financial support, create educational content, and ensure smooth operations with alternating shifts to cover campus access.

Qualifications

• Degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Thorough knowledge and experience with engineering principles and methods to independently perform the full range of engineering professional design work.
• Strong proven knowledge of 3D printing, laser cutting, CAD/CAM, electronics circuit design and embedded systems, manual and CNC machining, MIG/TIG welding, woodworking, and composites.
• Experience in managing a lab facility, including knowledge of project management, staff management, safety requirements and recharge/financial support to keep the facility operating smoothly.

Responsibilities

• Manage shop operations through staffing open hours (alternating shifts with the Director and other staff).
• Serve as primary point-person on questions and issues; provide expert technical advice and mentor makerspace participants in areas such as 3D printing, laser cutting, CAD/CAM, electronics, machining, welding, woodworking and composites.
• Perform recharge/financial support; supervise undergraduate staff and volunteers; advise and mentor shop users; perform safety training and onboarding; create educational, promotional, and news content; support startup and continuous improvement of makerspace services.
• Makerspace staff will divide hours evenly, e.g. through staggered Sunday-Thursday and Tuesday-Saturday schedules.

Skills

3D printing

Laser cutting

CAD/CAM

Electronics design

Embedded systems

Machining

MIG/TIG welding

Woodworking

Composites

Project management

Staff supervision

Safety training

Education

Degree in a related field

Tools

CNC machining

3D printers

Laser cutters

Job description

UC San Diego seeks a QI Makerspace Specialist to manage shop operations, supervise staff, and mentor users across 3D printing, CAD/CAM, electronics, and machining. The role emphasizes safety, onboarding, and continuous service improvement for the makerspace on campus.

Under the Director, you will coordinate staffing, provide expert guidance, handle recharge/financial support, create educational content, and ensure smooth operations with alternating shifts to cover campus access.