Assistant Machine Shop Manager, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Engineering a world of possibilities

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Department of Mechanical Engineering welcomes applications for a part time Assistant Machine Shop Manager. The mechanical engineering (ME) Instructional Machine Shop exists to support hands-on and project-based learning for coursework in the undergraduate degree program for a BS in Mechanical engineering primarily, nut also to support instruction for other degree programs. The ME Instructional Machine Shop also provides basic machining support for ME research projects. The ME Instructional Machine Shop is not a production shop. 

The position will: 1 ) oversee the operations and maintenance on the ME Instructional Machine Shop in support of instructional classes that use the Shop, 2) coordinate and provide training for students as part of the students’ undergraduate academic coursework, 3) maintain a culture of safety and efficiency in the use of the machine shop and the training provided to the students.

The Assistant Machine Shop Manager will report to the ME Technical and Operations Manager with a dotted line to the Machine Shop Manager and assist in the duties of the Machine Shop Manager in the ME Instructional Machine Shop. This role will be the lead for the management of the student Machine Shop Assistants, including hiring, training, scheduling, and approving timesheets. Additionally, they will keep up with shop hardware, including maintaining and repairing machines, and ordering stock cutting tools. They will also directly instruct students about the safety and operation of the machines. The focus of this position is to provide excellent instruction to students learning to use the equipment and will be able to create a safe and welcoming environment within the machine shop. 

This position requires working outside of normal business hours during the academic year (selected afternoons and possibly a few weekends).

RESPONSIBILITIES

ME Instructional Shop Coordination – 85% 

• Enforce safety compliance, the Assistant Machine Shop manager is responsible for the safety of everyone in the ME Instructional Machine Shop 

• Instruct the Machine Shop Assistants for proper operation of machining equipment  and ensure the Assistants are coordinated and trained to support the courses that access the shop 

• Maintain and repair equipment, including training the Assistants to perform the maintenance. 

• Instruct all shop users on proper safe operation of machining equipment 

• Guide the Assistants for cleaning and organizing the shop tools and equipment 

• Support the Machine Shop Manager with OVERSIGHT of instruction that required fabrication of parts 

• Ensure the Shop is supervised and open a minimum of 40 hours a week, 12 months a year, minus holidays and campus closures 

• Ensure there is a professional staff member supervising the Shop when the Shop is open 

• Maintain tool and equipment inventory and maintain material stock and tool supplies 

• Review scheduling of Machine Shop Assistants 

• Coordinate shop need with course projects 

• Attend the Shop Ops weekly meeting and meetings with supervisor 

• Review and approve timesheets submitted from the Shop Assistants 

• Assist with hiring and training of Machine Shop Assistants 

• Schedule first aid training for Machine shop Assistants 

• Manager shop during come extended evening hours and some weekends
   

Communications and marketing – 10% 

• Update the trainings and safety instructional materials under the supervision of the machine Shop Manager 

• Updates and maintenance of the Machine Shop website 

• Submit timely notifications to the Daily Blast regarding hours and usage of the machine shop (who has priority use at which times) 

• Submit news to Mines Marketing & Communications about relevant Machine Shop news. 

• Update Canvas content as needed 

• Update information for the Machine Shop 

• Assist in the development of training materials and operating procedures, visual checklists, and other materials 
   

ME Instructional Shop Coordination – 5% 

• Other duties as assigned: On occasion, this position may be assigned other duties needed to help drive the vision, fulfill the mission, and uphold Mines’ and ME’s organizational values. 

JOB DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Requirements: Ability to stand for 6+ hours daily, ability to work in an environment with loud noises and vibrations, repetitive motion, visual accuity and depth perception, ability to wear PPE for 6+ hours daily

Potential Environmental Conditions/Hazards: heavy equipment and machinery, exposure to oils, solvants and other chemicals, fumes, dust, welding, machining, spinning equipment, magnets, loud environment, sharp objects and sharp metal shavings

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:                                                                                                                                   

• A BS degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field or comparable transferable skills that can substitute for the BS in ME, OR an AAS degree in ME Technology, manufacturing or related field plus significant industry experience, OR a combination of experience and education that confers comparable knowledge, skills, and ability 

• Hands-on experience in manufacturing, manual and computer-aided machining, computer aided design (CAD), geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), TIG and MIG welding, and manufacturing equipment operations and maintenance, and knowledge of Autodesk Inventor 

• Intermediate to Advance skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, Teams) and ability to use and collaborate through shared drives, and collaborative software tools 

• Demonstrated documented SolidWorks skills;

• Must be able to pass CSWA exam 

• Demonstrated and documented experience generating G-code from CAD drawings using MasterCAM, Fusion360 or similar 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills 

• Physically able to perform strenuous labor including occasional heavy lifting and standing for 6+ hours a day 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience teaching STEM concepts 

• Experience mentoring students or early career professionals 

• Passion for teaching and offering guidance to college students 

• Ability to provide instruction and hold educational conversations with students

• Awareness of mental health issues and resources and desire to continue learning 

• First Aid certified and Stop the Bleed certified 

• Previous experience working in an Instructional Machine Shop 

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Pre-employment Drug Testing
 

SALARY RATE AND BENEFITS

$74,000 - $87,550 (pro-rated to $37,000 -$47,775 at half-time)

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees. 

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes: 

• Variety of flexible paid health and dental premiums 

• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.  

• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution 

• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents) 

• Free RTD Ecopass 

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

HOW TO APPLY

Review of applications will begin on Monday, August 25th and continue until filled. Applicants must:

• Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status)

• Upload a resume or CV

• Upload a cover letter, and

• Names of three professional references

Mines welcomes everyone to our team; in your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc). If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.

Successful completion of a background investigation and pre-employment drug screening is required for this position. This posting may be used to fill multiple openings. Contact Kathleen Feighny in HR at kfeighny@mines.edu with any questions.

ABOUT MINES AND GOLDEN, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines. 

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 36 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2025). 

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.  
 

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size. 

That size – roughly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.  

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, cultural awareness and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few. 

And don’t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.  

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a diverse and inclusive community, where our different perspectives, experiences and cultures enrich the educational and work experience?  

Look to Mines. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons.  Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses. Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce. Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting