MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING LAB MANAGER

Western Washington U; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA, seeks an instructional and classroom support technician to manage the Manufacturing Engineering laboratory suite for teaching and research. You will collaborate with faculty to develop curriculum and provide technical expertise for senior and research projects.

Responsibilities include supervising labs (machining, waterjet FabLab, Learning Factory, metrology), enforcing safety and chemical handling policies, and supporting diverse users with

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in Engineering or Science.
• Experience operating fabrication and/or laboratory equipment (manual and CNC machining, welding, metrology).
• Proficiency with CAD, CAM, and CNC machining including part design, path planning, and machine operation.
• Experience using computers for design, analysis, simulation, programming or planning.
• Familiarity with engineering drawings, OSHA standards, and Industrial Hygiene.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with diverse students and colleagues.
• Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Hire, train, and supervise laboratory teaching assistants.
• Set, maintain, train, document, and enforce laboratory use and safety policies.
• Train and supervise laboratory users.
• Plan and implement changes and improvements in the laboratory.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment.
• Provide technical services for faculty, staff, and students that require equipment in the lab.

Skills

Lab supervision

CAD

CAM

CNC machining

Welding

Metrology

Engineering drawings

OSHA standards

Industrial Hygiene

Independent work

Communication

Education

Bachelor Degree in Engineering or Science

Tools

Fabrication equipment

Waterjet/CNC tools

Job description

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About the University Western Washington University, with over 16,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 83,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western is the highest-ranking public, master's-granting university in the Pacific Northwest, according to the 2019 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

About the Department The College of Science and Engineering and the Engineering & Design Department support Western's mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.

About the Position

In this position you will directly support the academic mission of the Engineering & Design Department by having primary responsibility for managing, maintaining, and supervising the Manufacturing Engineering laboratory suite for teaching and research purposes. You will be responsible for collaborating with faculty in planning, developing, and implementing laboratory curriculum and experiences as an integral part of the academic programs in the Department, and for providing technical expertise to support senior projects and research projects.

The area of responsibility includes the machining lab, waterjet FabLab, Learning Factory, and metrology lab.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Hiring, training, and supervising laboratory teaching assistants;
• Setting, maintaining, training, documenting, and enforcing laboratory use and safety policies, including chemical inventory control, use, and disposal in compliance with University policies and State, and Federal laws;
• Training and supervising laboratory users;
• Planning and implementing changes and improvements in the laboratory;
• Operating and maintaining laboratory equipment;
• Providing technical services for faculty, staff, and students that require equipment housed in this laboratory.

This position requires hands-on proficiency and an understanding of basic mechanical, scientific, engineering, and Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing principles.

For Washington State HR purposes this position is classified as a Instructional and Classroom Support Technician 4.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in Engineering or Science
• Experience with operating fabrication and/or laboratory equipment. Examples include, but are not limited to:
  • Manual and CNC machining
  • Welding
  • Metrology
• Proficiency with CAD, CAM, and CNC machining including part design, path planning, and machine operation
• Experience using computers for design, analysis, simulation, programming and/or planning
• Familiarity with technical communication standards and codes. Examples include, but are not limited to:
  • Engineering drawings
  • OSHA standards
  • Industrial Hygiene
• Demonstrated ability to work independently
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse students and colleagues
• Excellent communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with modern manufacturing in an industrial setting
• Experience working in a higher education laboratory setting
• Experience teaching or as a teaching assistant
• Experience with chemical inventory, management, or disposal
• Experience with other manufacturing processes such as water jet cutting, sheet metal forming, or casting
• Experience with metrology equipment
• Experience with robotics and automation equipment.
• Experience maintaining fabrication and laboratory equipment
• Experience with employee training and supervision in a laboratory or industrial setting

Salary

$4,888 - $6,575/month depending on qualifications and experience. This position is eligible for overtime.

Bargaining Unit

This position is part of bargaining unit PT and is covered by the collective bargaining agreement with Public School Employees of WWU.

Closing Date Notes

Application review begins September 10, 2026; position is open until filled

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policy onEnsuring Equal Opportunity and Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation . Inquiries may be directed to the Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity and Employment Diversity, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Equal Opportunity Office, Western Washington University, Old Main 345 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay);[e-mail]

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contactHuman Resources Disability Services , 360.650.3774 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the office of the Vice President for enrollment and Student Services. The report can be found at http://www.wwu.edu/vpess/annualsafetyreport.shtml .

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires.