Fabrication Lab Operations Manager
Ball State University
Muncie, IN
Job posting number: #7237250 (Ref:BSU42554)
Posted: April 19, 2024
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Job Description
The Fabrication Lab Operations Manager for the Digital Corps will oversee the day-to-day activities of our expansive, campus-wide digital fabrication facility, part of a network of existing fab labs across campus. Operated by Ball State Information Technology with key support from the Colleges of Architecture and Planning and Fine Art, the Ball State Fabrication Lab is a resource for all students, faculty, and staff across campus utilizing 3D Printers, Laser Cutters, CNC machines, and more. This position will provide universal support to keep the lab open, operational, and available to the campus community, including walk-in hours, reservations, maintenance and upkeep, training, curricular integration, and collaborations with on- and off-campus partners. The Ball State Fabrication Lab welcomes every student regardless of major or area of study.
Unleash your passion for innovation and empower a community of creators! The Ball State University Fabrication Lab – powered by the Digital Corps and the College of Architecture and Fine Arts – seeks a visionary Operations Manager to lead our state-of-the-art facility. Oversee cutting-edge equipment, train a dynamic student team, and cultivate a collaborative environment for students, faculty, and staff across campus. Part teacher, part mentor, part techie… this position requires face-to-face work with undergraduate students and hands-on work with all aspects of digital fabrication across campus. Take advantage of this opportunity to make an impact and foster a culture of creativity and turning ideas into reality!
Job Function:
The Fabrication Lab Operations Manager for the Digital Corps will oversee the day-to-day activities of our expansive, campus-wide digital fabrication facility, part of a network of existing fab labs across campus. Operated by Ball State Information Technology with key support from the Colleges of Architecture and Planning and Fine Art, the Ball State Fabrication Lab is a resource for all students, faculty, and staff across campus utilizing 3D Printers, Laser Cutters, CNC machines, and more. This position will provide universal support to keep the lab open, operational, and available to the campus community, including walk-in hours, reservations, maintenance and upkeep, training, curricular integration, and collaborations with on- and off-campus partners. The Ball State Fabrication Lab welcomes every student regardless of major or area of study.
Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s degree in design, arts, engineering, computer science, or a related field from an accredited college or university by date of appointment. Or, in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree: Associate degree plus an additional combination of education or experience in digital fabrication equivalent to two years, or high school diploma or GED plus an additional combination of education or experience in digital fabrication to four years.
Minimum Experience:
Experience working in a fabrication lab or machine shop setting.
Preferred Experience:
Experience supervising staff or students, including hiring and training. Experience using and maintaining 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC machines.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Oversee day-to-day operations, including walk-in hours and structured reservations (utilizing an established reservation system), catering to the needs of students, faculty, and staff. Ensure the Ball State Fabrication Lab is open and operating during all scheduled hours.
- Oversee a team of undergraduate lab attendants, including hiring new employees, creating an onboarding training program, assigning and reviewing work, evaluating students for promotion, facilitating collaboration and additional opportunities in fab labs across campus, and other day-to-day management tasks.
- Implement and manage effective reservation systems for general lab use and specialized equipment, optimizing resource allocation.
- Maintain a current knowledge of fabrication equipment, technologies, trends, and 3D printing software. Make recommendations for lab equipment purchases based on industry standards and best practices.
- Engage in a spirit of proactive collaboration across campus with other fabrication labs, in the community, among campus colleagues, and the wider network of digital fabrication enthusiasts. Promote the Ball State Fabrication Lab across campus.
- Collaborate with fabrication facilities in the College of Architecture and Planning to develop and implement training resources, coordinate tool use and repair through the network of campus fabrication labs, and serve as a repair hub to service labs across campus.
- Maintain safety and functionality of all lab equipment through routine maintenance and necessary repairs, including the establishment of a weekly assessment/cleaning of all equipment.
- Support the curricular use of the space, including designing and delivering comprehensive training modules for students and staff, focusing on skill development and adherence to safety protocols.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
At Ball State University, we recognize inclusive excellence as an integral endeavor to fulfill our University’s mission and our strategic plan. We recruit, support, and retain a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff. We encourage and reward diversity of thought. We promote a work environment that encourages and rewards innovation and creativity. We pledge to keep Inclusive Excellence at the highest level of institutional importance and as a foundation in all that we strive to do. Our over-arching goal for Inclusive Excellence is to adopt a university-wide Inclusive Excellence approach to academic, administrative support, and service functions of the university. We believe Inclusive Excellence must be infused in every step we take.
