Love where you work! Put your machining expertise to work in our state-of-the-art fabrication facilities and inspire the next generation of engineers in our Duke Engineering Building. Discover our close-knit campus and find out what Pitt-Bradford has to offer you!
Pitt-Bradford is looking for a highly skilled, safety-focused machining professional to serve as our Maker Space & Machine Shop Supervisor. This is a hands-on leadership role at the heart of our $24.5M George B. Duke Engineering and Information Building — a position that demands deep technical knowledge of advanced fabrication equipment alongside the passion to mentor, support, and collaborate with students in our Maker Space.
If you are a machinist who thrives on precision, safety, and working with the next generation of makers, this role was built for you.
We offer an outstanding benefits package designed to support your long-term wellbeing, including:
- Robust retirement savings: Pitt matches 100% of eligible employee contributions between 3–8% of base salary. After three years, that match increases to 150% — one of the most competitive retirement benefits in higher education.
- Comprehensive health coverage, including group medical, life, vision, and dental insurance.
- Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick, and personal time.
- Education benefit (university-paid tuition) for employee and dependents
- For more information visit https://www.hr.pitt.edu/benefits/health-welfare
Requirements: An associate’s degree with at least 7 years’ of hands-on machining and fabrication experience is required. Journeyman’s Machinist papers and relevant experience may be substituted for the education requirement. Ability to read technical drawings and a basic understanding of GD&T Familiarity with Microsoft Office/Google Suite required. Strong working knowledge of 3D and 2D CAD software and CAM programming for CNC toolpaths is highly desirable. Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a genuine passion for working closely with a diverse student body, faculty, and staff. Previous supervisory or leadership experience is preferred.
Candidates must demonstrate proven, practical proficiency with the following equipment — not just familiarity. Our facility is fully equipped and candidates are expected to operate, maintain, and instruct others on:
- CNC and manual mills and lathes (operation, setup, and maintenance)
- Stick, MIG, and TIG welders; plasma cutters
- FDM and SLA 3D printers
- CO₂ laser cutters
- Wood, plastic, sheet, and general metal fabrication tools
- Soldering and basic electronics prototyping
- Microcontroller programming (e.g., Arduino)
Plaster, resin, and/or metal casting
- Ability to read technical drawings and a basic understanding of GD&T required.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office/Google Suite required.
Extra attention will be paid to applicants who can demonstrate strong machining experience and equipment expertise through previous work examples or a portfolio.
Is responsible for all Machine Shop, Maker’s Space and Student Project Lab related activity, and setting the policies, procedures, and safety protocols of said Shop.
Serves as the manager and resident expert for the engineering building’s Machine Shop, Maker Space, and Student Project Lab. You will play a central role in building a robust fabrication program and supporting our faculty and students through technical expertise, mentorship, and operational leadership.
Your day to day will include:
- Operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting advanced fabrication equipment including CNC and manual mills, lathes, welders, 3D printers, laser cutters, and plasma cutters
- Enforcing and continuously improving shop safety protocols in compliance with University, Environmental Health and Safety, and applicable federal/state regulations
- Demonstrating equipment use and safe operating procedures for students, faculty, and staff
- Mentoring students in the Maker Space — helping them bring ideas to life through hands-on guidance and technical problem-solving
- Opening and closing fabrication facilities and maintaining a clean, organized, and orderly shop environment
- Managing workflow, equipment maintenance schedules, inventory, and purchasing of consumables and tooling
- Recruiting, training, and supervising student workers who assist with shop operations
- Developing and delivering training programs and workshop activities for students, faculty, and community members
- Building partnerships with community organizations and local companies to create internship opportunities for students
- Crafting plans for additional programming and identifying potential revenue streams for the fabrication space
Moderate physical effort required. May be required to stand/move for several hours at a time. May be required to move objects up to 50 pounds with or without assistance of equipment.
The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.
Job Details
- Assignment Category: Full-time regular
- Job Classification: Staff.Machine Shop Manager
- Job Family: Research
- Job Sub-Family: Research Engineering
- Campus: Bradford
- Minimum Education Level Required: Bachelor's Degree
- Minimum Years of Experience Required: 3
- Substitution in lieu of education or experience: Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.
- Additional details about Required Licensure/Certification: Journeyman’s Machinist papers and relevant experience may be substituted for the education requirement. Strong working knowledge of 3D and 2D CAD software and CAM programming for CNC toolpaths is highly desirable. Ability to read technical drawings and a basic understanding of GD&T required. Familiarity with Microsoft Office/Google Suite required.
- Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; some nights and weekends
- Work Arrangement: On-Campus: Teams that work on campus, in an office, or in a lab.
- Hiring Range: $68,000 - $75,000/yr.
- Relocation Offered: No
- Visa Sponsorship Provided: No
- Background Check: For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check
- Child Protection Clearances: Not Applicable
- Required Documents: Resume
- Optional Documents: Cover Letter, Other (review job description for more details)