ME Lab Assistant AY26-27

VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY; Rosemont (PA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Villanova University is seeking a ME Lab Assistant AY26-27 to set up and operate machine tools for precision parts. The role involves assisting students, fabricating parts in various materials, and maintaining the ME Machine shop in Drosdick Hall. Work is 5–10 hours per week under the ME Shop Manager, with opportunities to guide and train student users.

Open to all students; work-study preferred. Compensation is $15.00 per hour. Position is open until filled for the 2026-2027 semester.

Qualifications

• Shop training.

Responsibilities

• Reports to ME Shop Manager.
• Assist students with the full cycle of manufacturing high-quality prototypes and precision parts.
• Work with the engineering R&D team to design and fabricate prototypes/parts in various materials.
• Guide and direct users in the ME Machine shop.
• Maintain order and appearance of the ME Machine shop.
• Maintain shop equipment, tools, and consumables.
• Teach and supervise students in the ME Machine shop and train new users.
• Perform machining operations to tight tolerances on lathes, mills, grinders, and presses.
• Work from drawings and verbal instructions to fabricate parts from steel, aluminum, and other materials.
• Plan and perform tool and bench operations with complex setups.
• Calculate tolerances and fit parts precisely.
• Collaborate with engineers on new designs with minimal information.
• Inspect own work and report issues to the shop supervisor.
• Perform MIG welding and set up welds with proper fusion.
• Finish parts through grinding, buffing, polishing, etc.
• Receive shipments and bring equipment to locations.
• Follow directions from the Mechanical Engineering Lab Manager.

Job description

ME Lab Assistant AY26-27

Posting Number: 20260363V

Position Title: ME Lab Assistant AY26-27

Posting Type: Student

Hours/week: 5-10

Eligibility: Work study preferred but open to all students

Semester: 2026-2027

Location: Drosdick Hall

Detailed Work Schedule: 5-10 hours as assigned

Number of positions: 3

Department: 205-Mechanical Engineering

Contact Name: Jane Ni

Contact Phone/Extension: 6105194981

Position Summary

Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout and machining procedures.

Responsibilities

• Reports to ME Shop Manager
• Assist students of all levels with the full cycle of manufacturing high-quality prototypes, precision parts
• Work collaboratively with engineering research and development team to design and fabricate high-quality prototypes/ precision parts out of titanium, stainless steel, low carbon steel, aluminum, and other materials as needed
• Provide guidance and direction to consumers in the ME Machine shop
• Maintain order and appearance of the ME Machine shop
• Maintain ME Machine shop equipment, tools, consumables
• Teach and supervise students of all levels in ME Machine shop, complete shop training for new users
• Perform a variety of machining operations to extremely close tolerances using lathes, milling machines, grinders, drill presses, highly specialized tools, and other shop equipment with minimum supervision
• Work from drawings, prints, rough sketches, and verbal instructions; fabricate and construct a variety of shapes composed of steel, brass, aluminum, stainless steel, and other exotic materials
• Plan, layout and perform machine tool and bench operations using unusual and difficult set-ups and machining methods
• Visualize a finished job, make necessary mathematical calculations and determine allowances for deflection and distortion
• Perform highly-skilled fitting and assembly operations to extremely close tolerances
• Work closely with engineers in developing new, unusual or untried designs and methods; where design information is minimal or nonexistent
• Inspect own work, detect errors in drawings, operations and defects in parts or materials and report to shop supervisor
• Perform and execute welding using MIG
• Set, align, and weld intricate parts and units in accordance to exacting specifications; lay a smooth bead, obtain proper fusion and penetration
• Perform finishing operations such as grinding, buffing, polishing, hardening, coating, etc.
• Receive shipments and equipment, bring equipment to desired locations.
• Responsibilities as directed by Mechanical Engineering Lab Manager

Requirements

• Shop training

Additional Information

Physical Demands Summary: Items such as lifting, pushing, pulling, standing or sitting for extended periods of time, manual dexterity, walking etc.

Compensation

Wage Rate: $15.00/hour

Closing Date

Open Until Filled