The Department of Physics, in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, seeks qualified applicants for the position of Senior Machine Shop Engineer (UCP 8). The Department of Physics machine shop supports the teaching and research missions of the department through the design, building, and implementation of sophisticated experimental apparatus, and in the training and supervising of faculty, staff, and students who use the shop.

Job Summary:

• Manage all activity that takes place in the Physics Department machine shop. Must have expertise in the use of all machines in the shop, including CNC equipment, and be capable of ensuring that they are maintained in safe working order. See that good practices of machine shop hygiene are maintained.
• Assist in the design of equipment, choice of materials, tooling, and fixtures, and make fabrication cost estimates.
  Work in a team environment. Participate in collaborations with outside machine shops and research laboratories for joint projects involving the construction of shared instruments.
• Supervise faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, and staff who are using the machine shop. Devise and supervise a program to train graduate students and faculty in shop procedures and safety. Provide regular access to basic shop equipment and tools to qualified graduate students, faculty, and staff.
• Manage the shop records and inventory. Stock commonly used materials. Order tools, materials and supplies as needed for new projects. Maintain budget and records for the shop. Make recommendations for the yearly supplies budget and request new capital equipment as needed.
• In consultation with the Shop Committee and Department Head, assign priority to shop projects.
• Assist with the design and preparation of appropriate shipping containers for instruments to be used in experiments away from the campus, and with the mechanical installation of major equipment received from off-site.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. BA/BS degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.
2. At least three years of shop experience at level of model maker, with ability to design and fabricate research equipment based on verbal descriptions of performance needs.
3. Knowledge of basic principles of mechanics and mechanical design; familiarity with metals, alloys and plastics; ability to design and manufacture research equipment based on oral descriptions of performance needs.
4. Thorough knowledge of safety procedures and ability to plan, organize and conduct safety courses.
5. Capability to train in various skill trades.
6. Ability to collaborate with researchers and effectively deal with large multi-level projects.
7. Experience with programming CNC equipment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in an academic department.
• Experience maintaining strict tolerances in construction, including familiarity with what tolerances are possible using a given piece of equipment, and what additional time and instrumentation may be required to guarantee them.
• Ability to work with project schedules and juggle multiple projects, and the ability to multi-task.
• Ability to find innovative solutions to design and construction problems that might otherwise not be feasible with existing shop equipment.
• Experience with prototyping and one-of-a-kind work.
• Experience constructing high-vacuum instruments.
• Welding experience, vacuum welding, aluminum vacuum welding.
• Strong computer skills, ability to work with multiple CAD systems, and transfer design information between them.
• Experience collaborating with non-machinists on designs. Ability to serve clients with a broad range of expertise, from an experienced designer to someone with no prior knowledge of CAD or machining.
• Strong communication skills, including mastery of spoken and written English.
• Fresh ideas for new things that the shop could do to enhance the research and teaching mission of the department, eg. additive manufacturing capability.

Appointment Term: This is a full time, 12-month permanent position with excellent benefits.

To Apply: For full consideration please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references as attachments on UConn Jobs search #2018144. Priority will be given to applications received by October 21, 2017. Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check. Applicants must have legal authorization to work in the United States

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