Prototyping and Fabrication Specialist

Yale University; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 68,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

Yale University in New Haven is seeking a Senior Research Support Specialist to lead hands-on learning in CEID, overseeing machine and wood shops, and advising on CAD/CAM workflows and prototyping from concept to prototype. You will work with students, faculty, and organizations across courses to develop practical skills and technical judgment.

This 2-year fixed-duration role emphasizes safety, collaboration, and delivering well-executed projects.

Qualifications

• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills; ability to manage multiple projects.
• Excellent communication for training users and collaborating with faculty, staff, and students.
• Experience with prototyping and fabrication tools, digital fabrication, and CAM/CAM workflows.
• Strong knowledge of shop safety practices and shared fabrication environments.
• Strong communication, teaching, collaboration, problem-solving, and independent judgement.

Responsibilities

• Participates in planning, conceiving, designing and implementing state-of-the-art instrumentation for a multi-faceted project.
• Solves engineering and design problems to ensure equipment meets study objectives.
• Develops reports and proposals outlining machinery available and design direction.
• Determines available resources and equipment.
• Develops cost and time estimates; ensures estimates are met.
• Supervises and monitors work of professionals; coordinates external consults.
• Manages quality control of work on research projects.
• Teaches research support theories and design.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Prototyping and fabrication

Shop safety knowledge

Teaching and mentoring

Education

PhD in a relevant scientific field or extensive lab management experience

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, design, manufacturing, or related field

Tools

CAD/CAM software

CAM workflows

Job description

Working at Yale means contributing to a better tomorrow. Whether you are a current resident of our New Haven-based community, eligible for opportunities through the New Haven Hiring Initiative, or a newcomer, interested in exploring all that Yale has to offer, your talents and contributions are welcome. Discover your opportunities at Yale!

Overview

This position advances Center for Engineering Innovation and Design's (CEID) hands‑on learning mission by providing senior‑level instructional and technical guidance across the machine shop, wood shop, and digital fabrication resources. The role combines shop oversight, technical instruction, and project advising in areas including traditional fabrication methods, CAD/CAM workflows, CNC milling and routing, and design‑to‑prototype development. Working with students across courses, student organizations, and independent projects, the position helps build the technical judgment and practical skills needed to translate ideas into well‑executed projects and prototypes.

• Applications received by 10/8/26 will be prioritized.

This is a 2 year fixed duration role with the possibility of continuation.

Required Skills And Abilities

• Strong organizational and record‑keeping skills, with an ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills for training users and collaborating with a diverse range of faculty, staff, and students.
• Demonstrated experience with prototyping and fabrication tools and processes, digital fabrication, and CAM/CAM workflows.
• Strong knowledge of shop safety practices and shared fabrication environments.
• Strong communication, teaching, collaboration, problem‑solving, and independent judgement skills.

Preferred Skills And Abilities

• PhD in a relevant scientific field or extensive relevant experience in laboratory management and instrument maintenance.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, design, manufacturing, or a related field, or equivalent education and experience.
• Proven ability to mentor and train staff and students effectively.
• At least five years of relevant professional experience, including substantial experience in a student‑facing or instructional prototyping and fabrication environment.

Principal Responsibilities

• Participates in the planning, conceiving, designing and implementation of highly specialized state of the art instrumentation equipment and apparatus for a multi‑faced research project 2. Solves engineering and design problems to ensure that equipment meets the objective of the study 3. Develops reports and proposals for research project outlining machinery available, direction of the design, and development of new instrumentation. 4. Determines available resources such as electrical and mechanical components and equipment. 5. Develops cost and time estimates for specific equipment design. Ensures time and cost estimates are met. 6. Supervises and monitors work of professionals and solicits consulting work from outside labs 7. Manages quality control of work performed on research projects. 8. Teaches research support theories and design. 9. May perform other duties as assigned. Required Education and Experience Bachelor's Degree in a related field and five years of related experience in a research development facility or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Job Posting Date

09/24/2026

Job Category

Professional

Bargaining Unit

NON

Compensation Grade

Clinical & Research

Compensation Grade Profile

Research Support Specialist 4 (24)

Salary Range

$68,000.00 - $120,500.00

Time Type

Full time

Duration Type

Staff Fixed Duration (Fixed Term)

Work Model

On-site

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre‑employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job‑related duties through their hiring department.
The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.
Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.