Machine Shop Engineer/Manager

Payroll Title: UCP IX
Class Code: 0914-9089
Job Family: TLR
FLSA Code: E
Score: 639

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Dean/Director, manages the machine shop for a college/division and works independently in the design, development and fabrication of complex high-precision mechanical equipment and models for use in the college/division research and educational activities.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Working independently, designs, develops and fabricates from original designs, prints, sketches or verbal/conceptual descriptions, complex high-precision mechanical equipment, models and instruments as specified or required for special research applications, requiring knowledge of the laws and principles of mechanical engineering.
  2. Consults with and advises researchers concerning development of special instruments and devices required to accomplish research/educational goals; assists in planning new laboratories.
  3. Diagnoses, repairs or rebuilds equipment and instruments as required.
  4. Recruits, trains, supervises, evaluates, schedules and assigns work to shop personnel engaged in the construction of routine and complex projects.
  5. Plans, organizes and conducts machine shop safety courses and certifies shop users are qualified to use equipment and machinery.
  6. Recommends budget requests for shop equipment and supplies; estimates labor and material costs for each project.
  7. Oversees use of shop facilities by students, staff and faculty to assure proper usage of equipment according to prescribed safety standards.
  8. Is responsible for the safety of all shop activities; sets up and maintains safety program and machinery maintenance program; initiating corrective action as necessary.
  9. Supervises, coordinates and schedules shop projects to meet deadlines and requests, evaluating and assigning priorities to individual projects.
  10. Maintains and controls inventory of shop supplies and equipment, with authority for restoring depleted stocks and repair or replacement of equipment.
  11. Is responsible for the maintenance of shop and classroom laboratory equipment as needed.
  12. Maintains contact with vendors and searches commercial market to determine availability and cost of equipment/instruments to meet exact specifications for research/educational needs.
  13. Initiates purchases, controls delivery of supplies and equipment and maintains necessary records.
  14. Keeps abreast of developments in area of expertise and related scientific fields through reading of scientific journals and technical papers.
  15. Evaluates shop functions and recommends changes in current or future operations.
  16. Maintains files and records necessary to support shop activities.
  17. Provides instruction and operation manuals, performance specifications and all necessary documentation and data for inclusion in various professional publications and possible patent applications.
  18. Advises, assists and instructs students and other shop users in their work in machine shop.
  19. Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

  1. Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or physical sciences OR equivalent combination of training and experience in design and construction of intricate instruments, gained in research lab setting.
  2. At least 5 years experience in the design and construction of high-precision instruments at the level of model maker, with ability to design and fabricate research equipment based on verbal descriptions of performance needs.
  3. Knowledge of basic principles of mechanics and mechanical design and thorough familiarity with material properties as required to serve college/division.
  4. Thorough knowledge of safety procedures and ability to plan, organize and conduct shop safety courses.
  5. Familiarity with metals, alloys and plastics used in instrument construction, including procurement of same.
  6. Supervisory and training ability in various skill trades such as metal working, welding, plumbing, carpentry, sheet-metal, machine repairing, electromechanical, power generating, etc.
  7. Ability to advise researchers and effectively deal with large number of multilevel projects related to different branches of engineering.
  8. Normal color vision.

Date Revised: 12/21/98
Date Created: 6/28/85