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Laboratory Instrumentation Technician

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI Full Time
POSTED ON 4/5/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/4/2025
Department: Physics

Summary

The position of Laboratory Instrumentation Technician in the Department of Physics supports the fabrication and design of scientific instruments for undergraduate and graduate students, staff, and faculty in both instructional and research activities. Additionally, the role includes responsibilities as the department's safety and property officer.

Responsibilities And Essential Duties

  • Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments.
  • Fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools and maintain apparatus, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, material properties, layout, and machining and fabrication procedures.
  • Advise on problem-solving solutions in manufacturing laboratory equipment and working in a self-supervised environment.
  • Operation of fabrication machinery. Lathes, Mills, Saws, Drill Presses and T.I.G & M.I.G welders and oxy-acetylene torches
  • Fabricate and repair research and instructional instrumentation from blueprints, sketches, or oral descriptions accurately and precisely.
  • Design parts using C.A.D software.
  • Order parts and materials as needed.
  • Maintain shop inventory.
  • Maintain shop financial records, construct cost estimates for job requests, and produce financial reports for department supervisors.
  • Maintain Machine Shop safety and housekeeping.
  • Act as Department Safety Liaison and Property Manager. Maintain records and documentation consistent with MTU systems and requirements.
  • Coordinate work with MTU Facilities and outside contractors for lab and department maintenance, building improvements, or moving heavy equipment.
  • Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

Two-year associate degree program in machining, or graduate of a machinist

trade’s school program.

Required Experience

  • Four years of continuous full-time machine shop experience.
  • Two years of welding experience: MIG, TIG. & OXY-Acetylene and soldering.
  • Two years of experience in part design.
  • One year of experience in producing cost estimates/quotes for part fabrication

work.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

  • Four-year bachelor's degree program (BS or BA) in addition to the listed required education (minimum requirements).
  • Four years of experience in designing, fabricating, and repairing research-grade scientific equipment.
  • Two years of experience in all phases of machine-shop management: customer relations, inventory, training, and finance.
  • Two years of experience in creating and maintaining safety procedures and SOP documentation.
  • Two years of experience in facility management.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And/or Abilities

  • Excellent communication, customer service and interpersonal skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to use web-based and MS Office applications.
  • Demonstrated ability to follow instructions and perform work with minimum

supervision.

  • Demonstrated ability to maintain an organized, clean, and safe working

environment.

  • Demonstrated ability to perform general maintenance tasks. The use of ladders will be required to perform some of these tasks.
  • Demonstrated ability to perform a variety of machining operations to extremely close tolerances using lathes, milling machines, grinders, drill presses, highly specialized tools, and other shop equipment with minimum supervision.
  • Demonstrated ability to set-up, adjust, and operate Computerized Numerically

Controlled machine tools.

  • Demonstrated ability to plan, layout, and perform machine tool and bench

operations using unusual and difficult set-ups and machining methods.

  • Demonstrated ability to perform fitting and assembly operations to extremely

close tolerances.

  • Demonstrated ability to inspect work; detect errors in drawings, operations,

and defects in parts or materials.

  • Demonstrated ability to plan and perform metal and plastic fabrications work such as beveling, cutting, rolling, seaming, soldering, and brazing. Perform ceramic grinding on many types of experimental ceramics.
  • Demonstrated ability to perform finishing operations such as grinding, buffing,

polishing, hardening, coating, etc.

  • Demonstrated ability to use and learn CAD programs for precision design and

fabrication of parts.

  • Demonstrated ability to perform finishing operations such as grinding, buffing,

polishing, hardening, coating, etc.

  • Experience in standard harnessing and rigging for moving heavy loads (2 tons).
  • Experience working with vacuum and research grade high vacuum systems.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Hearing protection may be required for some fabrication operations.

General maintenance tasks will require lifting (35 lbs.), bending, and standing. The use of ladders will be required to perform some of these tasks.

Required Training And Other Conditions Of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 3 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training

  • Employee Safety Overview
  • Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
  • Annual Data Security Training

Background Check

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions Of Employment

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)

1.00

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Rate/Salary

The minimum salary for this position is $60,000. The final salary will depend on experience and qualifications.

Title of Position Supervisor

Department Lab Coordinator

Posting Type

Internal & External Posting

Dependent on Funding

No

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech’s hiring process please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or hr-help@mtu.edu.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures* (minimum requirements)

Salary : $60,000

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