Fabrication Specialist and Instructor - Olin College of Engineering

Job Description

NORMAL WORK HOURS:    40 hours per week

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:   Senior Shop Manager and Instructor of Fabrication

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Fabrication Specialist and Instructor educates and inspires students in the art, technology, and practice of metal fabrication and welding, with a primary focus on safety and stewardship. The Specialist develops and delivers comprehensive safety training and protocols, ensuring that all students, faculty, and staff are properly trained in equipment use and shop safety. This position collaborates with faculty to support the delivery of relevant fabrication methods in courses and provides mentorship to students in their design and machining work. Additionally, the Specialist plays a key role in fostering an inclusive and empowering learning environment, with a particular focus on supporting students from underrepresented groups in STEM fields.

In this role, the Fabrication Specialist and Instructor oversees the day-to-day operations of the shop, including the maintenance and repair of equipment, ordering supplies, and managing student shop assistants. The Specialist ensures the safe and efficient operation of tools such as CNC machines and welding equipment, while continuously improving safety and training protocols. This year-round position involves working closely with the shop team and supporting research and other activities during the summer. The Specialist is an integral part of the Olin community, promoting hands-on learning and creativity in a safe, inclusive, and well-maintained environment.

This is an in-person/on-campus position based in Needham, MA.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Teach and inspire students in a variety of metal fabrication (including manual and CNC operation of mills and lathes), welding, and related tools with a focus on safety and stewardship. 
• Organize and deliver training on equipment operation. 
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve safety training and protocols, ensuring all students, faculty, and staff are properly trained in shop safety practices, emergency procedures, and safe equipment operation. 
• Support faculty in courses where fabrication methods are relevant, assisting with demonstrations, techniques, and equipment. 
• Mentor and advise students on fabrication, machining, and design work both in and out of the curriculum. 
• Foster an inclusive learning environment for students from all backgrounds, with a focus on supporting underrepresented groups in STEM. 
• Manage shop operations including maintenance, repairs, equipment setup, and ordering supplies. 
• Collaborate with and manage student shop assistants, including hiring, training, and coordinating workflow for 20 assistants. 
• Work with the senior manager to maintain the shop’s day-to-day operations, ensuring continuous improvement of the space and equipment. 
• Contribute to summer activities including research, project support, and shop maintenance during non-class periods. 
• Ensure year-round support for both academic and non-academic activities, with occasional evening and weekend work required. 
• Promote a positive and empowering culture that emphasizes experiential learning, exploration, and hands-on creativity. 

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree with at least two years of relevant professional experience in engineering, design, manufacturing technology or a related field is required. 
• Exceptional teaching, mentoring, interpersonal, presentation, and written communication skills and ability to work with, receive and implement feedback from a broad spectrum of people. 
• Experience working with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff in an academic environment, and experience with the design thinking process (ideation, prototyping, and testing) is required. 
• Experienced with a wide range of fabrication skills, in particular machining, turning, CNC milling, welding, and other prototyping equipment 
• In-depth knowledge of professional CAD/CAM software (e.g., Autodesk Fusion360, HSMWorks, SolidWorks, Mastercam, etc). 
• Preferred (but not required) experience with 3D printing, laser cutting, sheet metal, waterjet, plasma cutting, casting, forging, composites, metrology, thermoforming, and injection molding. 
• Demonstrated success with safety, teaching and mentoring, fabrication, and/or making with a strong background in maintaining and repairing shop equipment. 
• Strong organizational and time management skills and ability to handle multiple workstreams. 
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to values of equity, access, and belonging. 

Company Description

Olin College of Engineering seeks employees who are passionate about working collaboratively within and outside of the Olin community to support the College’s mission and vision for the future. At Olin, we are educating the next generation of engineering innovators and shifting the definition of engineering. Not only do our students ask, “Who are we designing this for, and what are their values?” They also ask questions about the impact of their work on society.

 As Olin evolves under the leadership of our president, Dr. Gilda Barabino, we seek to become a more diverse and aware community, a place where everyone is a learner and where everyone is an educator. Olin will become a place where experimentation—including making and learning from mistakes—will be embraced across the institution, not just in the classroom. Collaboration is key to Olin’s curriculum and culture, and we will work intentionally to reinforce the values and culture to which we aspire. We are a community that thrives on being together; we value trust. The College supports teams to collaboratively decide how they can best do their work, and display a commitment to the community, all while providing individuals with overall work-life flexibility.

Olin College is situated on 75 acres in Needham, Massachusetts. We are approximately ten miles from Boston, one mile from the MBTA Commuter Rail train station, and approximately four miles from the Woodland Station for the MBTA Green Line. We have plenty of free parking on campus. You can find more details on our Visiting Campus page.

• Take a Virtual Campus Tour: From the moment you step on campus at Olin, you feel a buzz of energy and activity—and once you experience it, you want to be a part of it.

Olin College is committed to supporting an innovative, integrated learning and working environment. As a small campus, the in-person experience and cross-team collaboration is what helps build a strong, dynamic community for our students, faculty and staff. Typically, most roles at Olin College are intended to be in-person and on-campus. Certain paid positions may be eligible for flexible working arrangements, at the College’s sole discretion. Any approved remote work arrangement for pay must be performed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts where Olin is registered to do business. Individual flexible and remote work options can be discussed during the interview process. 

Benefits

Olin College prides itself on offering to faculty and staff comprehensive benefits that provide both choice and value. These benefits are an important part of total compensation.  

Full-time employees scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week may be eligible for the following benefits: 

Core Benefits

• Medical (three different options) 
• Dental 
• Vision
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (company paid)
• Paid Family Medical Leave
• Long Term Disability (company paid)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with company match
• Liberal sick and vacation time and paid holidays
• Free parking

Additional Benefits 

• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Business Travel Insurance
• Supplemental 403(b) Retirement Plan 
• Travel Assistance Services (company paid)
• Health Care Management Program
• Pet Insurance

Please note that benefits are subject to change at any time.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

At Olin College we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace. If you’re excited about a role and have relevant experience, but your work history doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we'd nevertheless encourage you to apply.

Olin College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We especially welcome applications from candidates belonging to groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education, including women, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA people, and people with disabilities. Employees of the College who have a disability are welcome to request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources at HR@olin.edu.