Senior Prototyping & 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

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.