Laboratory Coordinator II, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering

The Laboratory Coordinator II will be the customer point of contact for Faculty, Graduate and Undergraduate Students for the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME) Machine Shop operations. The selected candidate will be responsible for conducting and supporting both laboratory and field research, including the setup and execution of experiments and the coordination of laboratory and field research activities. The incumbent will also develop, adapt, and build equipment, procedures, and techniques to fit specific experiment requirements. This position will also operate, maintain and troubleshoot equipment, instruments, and apparatuses.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Serve as the primary point of contact for AME Machine Shop Operations. Manage and schedule incoming job requests related to machining and manufacturing parts. Responsibilities include evaluating materials, reviewing and updating designs or drawings for manufacturability, adding requests to the active job queue, and scheduling work based on current workloads, machine capabilities, staff availability, and material/tooling resources.
• Support the AME 313 course by assisting the shop manager in guiding primarily undergraduate and some graduate students. Responsibilities include helping set up CNC machinery, instructing students in the safe and proper use of manual and CNC equipment, and contributing to course materials (e.g., lab manuals, engineering drawings, assignments, and machining concepts).
• Prepare job quotes and process invoices for AME Machine Shop Operations. Verify job completion, confirm internal account numbers and payment methods, and ensure estimates accurately reflect quoted hours. Estimate total time for programming, setup, and fixturing based on job complexity and part quality. Collaborate with shop personnel to refine time and cost estimates as needed.
• Administer and execute fabrication and machining tasks to meet project schedules. This includes researching hardware, designing and programming CNC toolpaths using software such as Mastercam, performing manual machining, and assembling or installing hardware for completed jobs.
• Participate in weekly shop meetings with staff to review current and upcoming projects, coordinate workloads, improve efficiency, and align on operational goals. Provide input on shop conditions, materials, and equipment needs to support continuous improvement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact professionally and effectively with faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
• Skilled in fabrication, machining, and design processes, including interpreting engineering drawings and applying appropriate manufacturing techniques.
• Ability to assess technical challenges, develop practical solutions, and make informed recommendations to improve designs, processes, and outcomes.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.