Makerspace Director

Job Description POSITION OBJECTIVE Sears think[box] serves members of the Case Western Reserve community (faculty, staff, alumni, and affiliates) as well as the general public with seven floors of innovation, including an expansive makerspace and many resources to support entrepreneurship. The Makerspace Director manages daily operations on the 3rd (Prototyping), 4th (Fabrication), and 5th (Project) floors, which include a wood shop, metal shop, welding shop, waterjet, and paint room. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role ensures a safe, inclusive, and innovative environment for all users while contributing to the growth and impact of Sears think[box] at Case Western Reserve University and beyond. Key responsibilities include overseeing staff and student workers in a shop environment, ensuring safe working conditions and practices for users, and supporting institutional goals in design and manufacturing. The director will also create instructional materials, lead workshops and trainings, and mentor users in design and fabrication techniques relevant to think[box] makerspace equipment. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS * Makerspace Management: Oversee all operational aspects of the Prototyping (3rd), Fabrication (4th), and Project (5th) floors, ensuring smooth and efficient management of these spaces. Lead a team of staff and student technicians, coordinating their recruitment, training, and supervision to provide design guidance, equipment training, and hands-on support to users. Manage tool usage and monitor the inventory of materials and consumables, while overseeing the operation, maintenance, and repair of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) and manual equipment across the prototyping floor, wood shop, metal shop, welding shop, waterjet, and paint room. Lead preventative maintenance, repairs, and equipment replacement to maintain the highest safety and operational standards. Recommend new equipment aligned with budget constraints and supervise its installation and commissioning. Develop and maintain preventative maintenance schedules for all equipment. Conduct orientation and safety trainings and enforce compliance with rules, policies, and standards (including OSHA and EHS) for staff and users to foster a safe and inclusive maker environment. Participate in senior staff meetings and strategy sessions to represent the makerspace priorities, plan events, support partnerships, and position think[box] for success. (50%) * Creation of Learning Supports and Project Management: Conduct workshops and mentor users in all aspects of design and fabrication, from CNC and manual tools to welding, craftsmanship, problem-solving, and shop safety. Collaborate on content and curriculum development for classes and workshops, working with the Executive and Faculty Director to identify new opportunities for integration. Develop and manage a diverse portfolio of on-site workshops and classes, offering varying lengths and depths of instruction on design, prototyping, and fabrication technologies. Track workshop attendance, gather feedback from participants, and create reports to assess effectiveness, impact, and opportunities for improvement or growth. Additionally, oversee the creation and refinement of non-workshop resources such as written guides and other self-service solutions. Offer guidance and advice to students working on senior design projects, particularly those with machining and fabrication needs. (25%) * Manage 5th Floor Spaces and Project Teams: Assign and oversee project bays, carts, and storage, fielding users¿ requests. Provide design and manufacturing consultation, mentorship, and technical guidance to extracurricular design/build project teams (e.g. Mini Baja, Rocketry, Robotics). Manage communications with project teams, enforcing adherence to think[box] policies and safety practices. (10%) * Systems Management and Reporting: Ensure financial and operating logistics are accurately captured in the approved think[box] data management software systems. Work closely with the executive director and department administrator to provide performance data, budget information, new equipment requirements, and staffing needs as required. (10%) NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Perform other duties as assigned. (5%) CONTACTS Department: Continuous contact with the Sears think[box] senior leadership team, students, community users, and department staff to exchange ideas, share information, maintain workflow. University: Occasional contact with Case Western Reserve University leadership and administrators to represent Sears think[box] and exchange information. Regular contact with faculty and staff involved with `Design/Build¿ courses, projects and competitions. External: Continuous contact with public users to deliver trainings, answer questions, and provide project and equipment guidance. Occasional contact with members of the Higher Education Makerspace Initiative (HEMI) and similar relevant professional or academic networks. Moderate contact with alumni, potential donors, local companies, potential clients, vendors, and suppliers to obtain quotes for equipment, machine tools and services as required and to organize and supervise the execution of services and delivery of equipment. Students: Continuous contact with student employees to maintain workflow. Continuous contact with student users involved with `Design/Build¿ courses, projects, and competitions. Continuous contact with undergraduate and graduate students to provide advice and guidance relating to design and manufacturing curriculum. Frequent contact with graduate students to advise on research activities. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Supervise the Makerspace Manager, Prototyping Manager, Prototyping Engineer, Fabrication Manager, Fabrication Engineer, and student technicians. QUALIFICATIONS Experience: 7 years of related experience (previous management experience--including supporting users of varying skillsets and backgrounds--in a public-facing or academic shop, lab, makerspace, or similar context). Education/Licensing: Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related field required. A graduate degree in a mechanical engineering discipline would be an advantage. Industry licensures (CAD certifications, journeyman status, etc.) would be an advantage. REQUIRED SKILLS * Shop experience with a variety of manual and computer-controlled fabrication machines and equipment, such as laser cutters, 3D printers, vinyl cutters, heat presses, soldering & electronics benches, CNC and manual lathes/milling/grinding machines, MIG/TIG welding equipment, waterjet cutters, and standard manual machine and bench tools. * Demonstration of formal or informal teaching in relation to making, fabrication, or engineering principles would be an advantage. * Experience with the operation and application of woodworking and metalworking machinery and processes. * Experience with computer-aided-design (CAD), computer-aided analysis (CAE), and computer-aided-manufacturing (CAM) software systems. A sound working knowledge of PTC CREO or SolidWorks design, manufacturing and analysis software. * Experience producing, reading, and interpreting engineering drawings. * Ability to engage and motivate students from multiple backgrounds (art, music, engineering, science) working on design and build projects. * Ability to teach/instruct basic and advanced manufacturing design and workshop skills. * A successful record of creative project design, management, manufacture, testing and delivery. * Ability to manage multi-disciplinary design and manufacturing projects. * A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace. * Cross-discipline understanding of the principles of engineering and science. * Excellent interpersonal skills and an organized, collaborative and inclusive management style. * Proven ability to manage and motivate a team. * Strategic level of conceptual independent thinking, an intense attention to detail, patience, instruction skills, and very high expectations of quality. * Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest. * Ability to meet consistent attendance. * Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face. WORKING CONDITIONS Located onsite at Sears think[box], the employee's duties will require working with various manual and computer-controlled machines and processes, machining and manipulating a wide range of ferrous, non-ferrous, polymeric and wood-based materials. Workshop safety rules must be strictly enforced at all times, to all users of the workshop facilities. Sound engineering practices must be followed and demonstrated at all times. None of the processes or materials will present any toxic hazards. The duties of the employee will involve occasional travel and working flexible hours that could include evenings and weekends. Diversity Statement In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. . Reasonable Accommodations Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis. .

Created: 2024-11-18