We are seeking a PSMS Instructor & Machinist to train students and staff within the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences in the basics of machining, fabrication, and the safe use of equipment. The instructional specialist will report to the manager of the Instrument Development Group (IDG). Located in the William H. Miller III Department of Physics and Astronomy, the IDG develops state of the art instrumentation for the world’s largest telescopes, as well as instrumentation for physics and chemistry research. Operating within the Physical Sciences Machine Shop (PSMS), the instructional specialist will provide hands-on instruction and training to students having minimal experience in a variety of fabrication methods including: milling, turning, drilling, threading, saw cutting, laser cutting, sheet metal forming, hand tool use, and general mechanics. Routine equipment maintenance and the management of tooling and supplies within the PSMS student shop, and the satellite shop in the Department of Chemistry, is required. Additionally, some level of part fabrication within the PSMS professional CNC shop is envisioned. This position requires coordination with faculty and staff in the planning and scheduling of training and fabrication activities.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Instruction – 45%

Curriculum development 5%

• Develop/refine safety course curriculum, prepare teaching materials, and course outlines.
• Develop/refine machine operation curriculum, prepare teaching materials, and course outlines.
• Choose instructional videos, textbooks, and online resources to support curriculum.
• Use a mix of lectures, hands-on workshops, demonstrations, and group projects to engage students.
• Regularly update the safety and operations curriculums based on technological advancements and changes in industry practices.
• Implement projects that require students to design, prototype, and produce machined components.
• Periodically evaluate course to determine areas of improvement.

Safety class instruction – 10%

• Provide shop safety course instruction to students and staff wishing to gain access to student shop machine tools and equipment.
• Teach college students safe set up of machines for fabrication, and how to safely operate both manual and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) equipment.

Advanced class instruction – 10%

• Provide targeted instruction on the use of specific machine tools and equipment in a small group setting.
• Teach college students how to set up machines for fabrication, and how to operate both manual and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) equipment.
• Teach college students basic fabrication techniques and the use of hand tools.

One-on-one student instruction – 20%

• Provide in-shop instruction on a day-to-day basis to students and staff in the safe operation of student machine shop tools and equipment.
• Provide in-shop instruction on a day-to-day basis to students and staff in the functional use of shop tooling, inspection equipment, and methods necessary to fabricate precision machined parts.
• Provide in-shop instruction on the design of mechanical components for efficient manufacturing and performance.

Upkeep and maintenance – 55%

Chem Shop oversight – 10%

• Replenish supplies as needed to maintain efficient and safe operation of the shop.
• Carry out routine maintenance on shop equipment.

PSMS Shop oversight – 15%

• Replenish supplies as needed to maintain efficient and safe operation of the shop.
• Organize tooling and equipment for efficient shop operation.
• Carry out routine maintenance on shop equipment.

PSMS fabrication – 30%

• Provide machining services to the University research and instructional community and affiliates.
• Responsible for the fabrication of precision components using manual and CNC lathes and milling machines, wire EDM, and a variety of fabrication and inspection equipment.
• Carry out a variety of machining tasks, including build-to-print, design, prototyping, and the fabrication of specialized equipment/instruments.   

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent communication and instructional skills.
• A minimum of five years’ experience working in a research and development machine shop fabricating precision parts.
• Proficiency with mechanical design.
• Proficiency reading and interpreting engineering blueprints, including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
• Proficiency with the programming, setup, and operation of CNC machine tools.
• Proficiency with the operation of manual lathes and mills.
• Basic knowledge and competency with sheet metal fabrication equipment.
• Proficiency with at least one computer aided design software package.
• Proficient with the use of inspection equipment, including: calipers, micrometers, height gauges, dial indicators, surface plates, optical comparators, and gauges.

• High school diploma/GED.
• Five years related experience, with advance knowledge in instrumentation machining.

• Machinist and shop manager experience strongly preferred.
• Highly competent in g-code programming.
• Proficiency with MasterCAM CNC programming language.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks and CREO.
• Proficiency with four and five axis machining.
• Arc, Mig and/or TIG welding experience.
• Experience with the programming, setup, and operation of CNC lasers cutters.
• Experience with the programming and operation of coordinate measuring machines.
• Expertise instructing students in the use of mills, lathes, saws, hand tools, etc.

Classified Title: Sr. Instrument Designer 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): PSMS Instructor & Machinist   
Role/Level/Range: ACRO37.5/03/CH  
Starting Salary Range: $29.80 - $52.50 HRLY (Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am - 4:30pm 
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt 
Location: Homewood Campus 
Department name: ​​​​​​​Physics and Astronomy  
Personnel area: School of Arts & Sciences