Manager, MakerSpace and Electronics Design Studio

Apply now Job no:501734
Work type:Exempt Staff Full-time
Location:Bethlehem
Categories:Technical/Scientific

Calling all Makers! Lehigh University is seeking a Jill (or Jack) of all trades to help manage its premier MakerSpace in the heart of campus. Loaded with everything from t-shirt printers to laser cutters, Waterjets to CNC mills, consumer grade 3D filament printers to an industry-leading direct metal printer, the building will also soon be bringing online a brand new Electronics MakerSpace! Serving the entirety of campus from engineering students to budding entrepreneurs, it truly is a hub for interdisciplinarity as much as it is making. This location along with a sister facility on Lehigh’s Mountaintop campus, comprise the Design Labs at Lehigh. Successful candidates will have a history of making with a strong background in electronics and microcontroller programming as well as a passion for empowering students to become Makers themselves. The Lehigh community takes seriously our commitment to antiracism and The Principles of our Equitable Community .

1. Teaching, learning and educational support (25% of time)
Deploy the Manager’s experiences, skill set, and knowledge to constituencies across campus in order to enhance the learning outcomes of students and support the research mission of faculty across multiple departments and colleges. To that end, it is imperative the Manager is both approachable and a willing partner to these groups.
*Work with, assist or advise students and/or student teams in the use of design process, product development and/or prototyping
*Assist faculty in teaching courses that utilize the Design Labs Wilbur Powerhouse facilities
*Supervise, assist and offer design and technical support to students and faculty in creating prototypes or projects at Lehigh
*Analyze and review working drawings for products and designs
*Work with the Executive Director of the Design Labs to develop, improve and expand ways to use new and emerging technologies in multi-disciplinary curricula and in faculty research
*Advocate for Design Labs’ facility utilization among potential users where a hands-on, experiential approach to education would be beneficial
*Manage time and resource usage among users and ensure that appropriate equitable access for all users is provided
*Work with student staff to provide skills and safety instruction to all Lehigh students, faculty and staff who wish to utilize the Design Labs resources
*Directly support extracurricular activities, groups and programs to both enrich the programs and promote exposure to the Design Labs resources among the broader Lehigh student population

2. Safety and training (20% of time)
The use of tools and equipment is inherently dangerous. The Manager of the Design Labs at Wilbur Powerhouse is tasked with providing a facility environment and will work to mitigate the risks associated with using fabrication resources while balancing the need for access.
*Continually develop and refine the safety policies for the Design Labs Wilbur Powerhouse facilities to minimize risk and maximize access to resources and ensure they are kept current and in line with ‘best practices’ within student shops
*Develop and enhance online safety and training materials to minimize barriers for students accessing Design Labs Wilbur Powerhouse resources
*Ensure students, faculty and staff are properly supervised when using the machine tools
*Manage card access to the Design Labs Wilbur Powerhouse facilities in coordination with the Executive Director for the Design Labs and the Lehigh University IDEAL office, ensuring students only have access to resources when there can be appropriate supervision
*Work with the Executive Director of the Design Labs to hire, train and supervise student staff to monitor Design Labs Wilbur Powerhouse facilities and enforce proper tool use and safety
*Educate students, faculty and staff in the safe use of machines, tools and other resources in the Design Labs and related facilities
*Work with the Executive Director of the Design Labs to continue to develop and implement a Lab certification process to ensure students, faculty and staff are trained to use tools and other resources safely and properly
*Directly supervise the use of machines and tools by students, faculty and staff; supervise the instruction being given by student peer educators in the Design labs facilities
*Maintain all tools and equipment in a safe operating condition, ensuring tools work properly and all necessary safeties are in place and utilized
*Maintain a safe and clean work area in labs and around machines and equipment
*Work with Lehigh’s Department of Environmental Health and Safety to maintain safe working environments within the Design Labs Wilbur Powerhouse facilities

3. Supervisory and managerial (25% of time)
The resources of the Design Labs Wilbur Powerhouse extend beyond the physical equipment it entails. The team of professional and student staff that run the Design Labs and assist the Lehigh community in utilizing these unique resources are one of its most valuable assets. In addition, prudent use and management of financial resources are imperative in order to maintain and grow the Design Labs facilities.
*In coordination with the Executive Director of the Design Labs, develop, supervise, hire and train a workforce of student Tech Fellows who assist the Lehigh community in utilizing the Design Labs Wilbur Powerhouse facilities and serve as ambassadors to these resources for the Lehigh community and beyond
*Track expenses of the Design Labs Wilbur Powerhouse facilities
*Bill for facility use and project expenses to campus constituents

*Work with the Executive Director to strategically plan for the prudent use of Design Labs Wilbur Powerhouse funding
*Work with the Executive Director of the Design Labs to prioritize and execute purchases and prepare budgets for upcoming fiscal year(s)
*Direct the daily activities and schedule use of the Design Labs Wilbur Powerhouse facilities in an appropriate, efficient and equitable manner
*Manages tools and supply inventory and the storage of materials, projects and equipment
*Assist in supporting and managing other Design Labs spaces and resources when needed
*Assists the Executive Director of the Design Labs to anticipate and plan for future usage of the Design Labs resources and take what actions are necessary to ensure the resources are available

4. Technology and machinery management (25% of time)
Arguably the most valuable asset of the Design Labs Wilbur Powerhouse facilities, aside from the professional and student staff, is the equipment that comprises the physical resources of the space. Proper maintenance of the equipment will keep it in safe working order, thus reducing the risk of injury and will also greatly extend the life of the equipment. Additionally, the software that supports and runs this equipment needs a knowledgeable, skilled person to use the equipment efficiently.
*Completes all necessary maintenance on the full complement of tools and machines in the Design Labs Wilbur Powerhouse facilities and/or schedules service calls as necessary
*Operates and/or trains others to operate all specialized equipment including laser cutters/engravers, CNC equipment and the associated control software
*Research, price and purchase new equipment to complement the current array of tools in the Design Labs facilities
*Review current equipment, software and facilities to ensure all are kept up to date in terms of capability, safety and efficiency
*Purchase and replace equipment as necessary and as budget allows to keep up with the industry and educational standards
*Uses computer modeling and tool path software to create and conceptualize prototypes and create tool paths for specialized hardware

5. Design Project Management (5% of time)
The Design Labs encompass a set of resources capable of making just about anything. These resources should be leveraged to create functional furniture, fixtures, or prototypes in an effort to continually develop and enhance the skills of the Executive Director, Managers of the Design Labs, student staff, and other interested students within the Lehigh community, as well as highlight the capabilities of the Design Labs resources and its staff. As an added bonus, this creates an income stream to further enhance the Design Labs’ resources beyond the limitations of the annual operating budget.
*Design and/or work with students to design furniture, fixtures, installations or other projects for internal university clients including departments, Lehigh Facilities, campus researchers and other Lehigh-related “clients”
*Estimate cost and time to complete projects and provide written estimates for services Supervise the Design Labs staff in the construction of projects
*Work with students in all phases of the projects to augment their education and expose them to “real world” scenarios
*Leads and supervises the Design Labs Wilbur Powerhouse student staff in the fabrication of projects

Grade: 9-40

Position Number: S98010

Special Considerations

The duties of the position do not allow for a remote work option; the employee in this position will be required to work on campus where they can be fully accessible to the Lehigh community

This position works with minors

This position has fiscal or financial responsibilities other than employee expense activity, such as processing or approving transactions; monitoring or preparing budgets; or generating income for University

Will sometimes be required to stand, sit, walk, see, talk, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, climb or balance, use hands to reach, touch, handle or feel, lift up to 25 pounds

Will sometimes work near moving mechanical equipment

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree Design, Engineering or a related field

Three to five years related work experience

Knowledge of electronics, basic circuitry and microcontrollers

Competency with 3D printing, laser cutting and CNC operations

Basic mechanical skills

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Excellent organizational skills and proven ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously

Excellent computer skills with experience using word processing and spreadsheet software 

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position

All Lehigh faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated and receive a booster shot six months after their second vaccine; unless they receive an approved medical or religious exemption from the requirement.

Only complete applications will be considered therefore please complete the application in its entirety.  Once the posting is removed from the website applications may no longer be allowed to be completed.

Advertised:September 16, 2022 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:Open until filled