Smith College · 22 hours ago
Design & Fabrication Senior Specialist
Northampton, MA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$82K/yr - $112K/yr
8+ years expSmith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. The Design & Fabrication Senior Specialist will provide instruction and hands-on use of the Center for Design & Fabrication for undergraduate engineering and other students, while also advising on projects and managing the operations of the center.
EducationHigher EducationTraining
Responsibilities
Supervise and teach students from STEM and other academic disciplines (e.g., Architecture) to complete course projects including instruction in drafting and design, the selection of materials and tools, and the safe and appropriate operation of shop equipment
Instruction will include design, model making, electronics, machining, fabrication and prototyping
Provide instruction to scheduled classes, groups and individual students
Serve as a campus-wide consultant to faculty, staff and students for advice on projects not related to standard courses, including Honors projects, Special Studies, SURF projects and faculty research
Collaborate on experimental design and the selection of materials, techniques and tools
Fabricate prototypes and collaborate to refine them into final products
Offer extensive hands-on instruction for both faculty and students in the use of the equipment and related safety procedures
Support the Clark Science Center Administrative Director and the Corporate and Foundations Office with technical advice in grant development and fundraising
Partner with other CDF staff to provide daily management and strategic planning for the Center for Design & Fabrication (CDF)
Develop and maintain relationships with faculty constituents to ensure the CDF remains relevant to research and curricula
Advise the Science Center Directors on the long-term direction, acquisition of equipment and appropriate training to keep the CDF current with progressing technologies
Partner with faculty in the development of course curricula and associated CDF academic teaching labs
Schedule CDF workflow in coordination with course schedules and research projects
Manage the CDF budget
Develop and enforce environmental health and safety guidelines within the CDF as they relate to staff, student and faculty users
Track and report on equipment usage
Operate, oversee the use of and maintain the equipment in the CDF, including regular calibration and cleaning of equipment and maintenance of computer software packages related to equipment operations
Partner with other CDF staff to provide a full scope of expertise in design, prototyping, machining (conventional as well as CNC), 3D printing, wood working, welding, sheet metal fabrication, electrical and basic plumbing
Repair Science Center lab equipment as is feasible
Perform other duties as assigned by management
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's Degree Field: Science, Technology or Engineering
8 or more years experience Area: Teaching related to design and fabrication
5 or more years experience Area: Fabrication with a wide variety of mediums, methods and materials
Knowledge of: Technical proficiency in the safe operation of machinery and tools relating to the machinist and fabrication trades, including but not limited to machining (conventional as well as CNC), 3D printing, wood working, welding, sheet metal fabrication, electrical and basic plumbing
Strong engineering math and computer skills are required, including CAD/CAM
Ability through training to improve knowledge and skills needed for professional improvement
Highly organized with strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and teaching skills
Demonstrated ability to think creatively to solve fabrication and design problems
Benefits
A competitive benefits package
Company
Smith College
Since its founding in 1871, Smith College has provided women of high ability and promise an education of uncompromising quality.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Smith College has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (10)
2024 (17)
2023 (11)
2022 (5)
2021 (7)
2020 (6)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$3MKey Investors
NASAAndrew W. Mellon FoundationMassachusetts Life Sciences Center
2023-06-07Grant
2020-01-14Grant· $2.5M
2017-03-16Grant· $0.5M
Leadership Team
Albert Kim
Associate Professor of Statistical & Data Sciences
Recent News
2025-09-09
2025-08-13
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