Historic Operating Machinery Specialist

The Henry Ford is a nonprofit organization, an internationally recognized cultural destination, and a one-of-a-kind workplace. Our team is inspired daily by one another as well as the authentic stories of innovation that we share across our four venues. We want you to be a part of this legacy and take it forward.

We have a rare open full-time Specialist position on the Historic Operating Machinery (HOM) team. In this role, you will be responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair, and documentation of a specific class of historical machinery (agricultural, domestic, production, and electronic/electro-mechanical) in Greenfield Village and The Henry Ford Museum under the direction of the Manager of Historic Operating Machinery. As the HOM Specialist, you will share technical expertise and knowledge of historical machinery to other teams across all areas of The Henry Ford (THF).

Essential Responsibilities

• Provides operational machinery for daily visitor programs and events by inspecting, diagnosing, and maintaining objects in area of responsibility. Includes agricultural, household, industrial, and trades equipment, horse-drawn vehicles, musical instruments, interactive museum exhibits, and a carousel.

• Ensures safe and legal operation of machinery in area of responsibility, including OSHA lockout, confined space and machinery guarding.

• Helps maintain the HOM workspaces and surrounding areas in a clean and uncluttered condition.

• Creates and keeps records for maintenance and repair of all historic machinery in area of responsibility.

• Coordinates assigned projects with other team members, volunteers, as well as outside contractors and vendors.

• Provides engineering design and analysis for replacement parts or new installation assemblies.

• Carries out research on assigned topics to broaden and increase depth of knowledge for areas of responsibility.

• Train and coach the presenter staff in safe and correct machinery use as needed.

• Acts as a team player and provides expertise within the team and with other teams as appropriate.

• Contributes to the effective team management of all problems, issues and opportunities.

• Performs other activities as necessary

Your Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent

• Completion of a two-year college-level machining/manufacturing/engineering program or equivalent knowledge/experience

• 2 or more years’ professional experience in a laboratory, shop, or similar technical workplace.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office software

Critical Special Skills:

• Experience with and knowledge of a wide range of hand tools and power tools

• Effective oral and written communication skills, able to take direction and constructive criticism

• Ability to read simple engineering drawings and electrical schematics

• Basic machinist skills: drill press, lathe, mill

• Highly proficient with mechanical troubleshooting

• Basic electrical troubleshooting skills

Preferred Special Skills:

• Historical knowledge: crafts and trades, farming, transportation, musical instruments, or similar

• Knowledge of basic metal casting principles and design considerations preferred

• Experience safely moving large, heavy objects

• Basic CAD skills, especially with Fusion 360

• Experience with basic digital circuit design and microcontroller programming

• Knowledge of museum standards for artifact handling and documentation

• Ability to operate standard transmission vehicles and/or forklifts

• Research skills in both primary and secondary sources, including online searches

Physical Requirements:

• Sitting, Standing, Walking: Frequently

• Climbing ladders and structures: Frequently

• Riding and observing an operating carousel: Frequently

• Lifting, carrying, and pushing up to 50 lbs: Occasional

Environment:

• Work in a shop environment and outdoors in all weather

• Indoor environment includes dust, dirt, loud noises, grease, chemical/process fumes and temperature fluctuations. Overhead lighting is supplemented with natural and task lighting

• Outdoor environment includes smoke, dust, dirt, loud noises, grease, chemical/process fumes and weather variations

• Indoor and outdoor environments include vehicle traffic, crowds, active machinery, and animals

Please note that this job description is subject to modification at any time to meet the evolving requirements of our institution.

Respect, inclusion, and opportunity for people of all backgrounds will attract the best ideas to THF and help us shape a more vibrant future. By honoring and celebrating people’s diversity, THF can bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work and community. Achieving diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is a continuous process, which, we believe, will contribute to a sustainable and inclusive world. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify with or belong to marginalized communities.

It is the policy of The Henry Ford to prohibit discrimination in any employment, donor or volunteering opportunity including but not limited to based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, genetic information, pregnancy, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, physical/mental disability or any other such characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. This Policy applies to all our employees, donors and volunteers to ensure that they are treated without discrimination.