Department: MCC Segal Design Institute
Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Job Summary:

Sr. Design & Prototyping Specialists are at the heart of the Segal Prototyping Lab, providing training, guidance, consultation, and mentoring as students create physical prototypes to bring their designs to life.

We are looking for a dynamic individual with a passion for creating a welcoming environment for all students, with particular outreach to students whose identity, or background familiarity with fabrication, might otherwise be inhibiting to them.

Primary responsibilities include the creation and maintenance of a professional and safe working environment, fostering an inclusive maker culture, formal and informal safety and skills training for students, and student project advising.

The Sr. Design & Prototyping Specialist advises students on design choices, material selection, fabrication techniques, and other aspects of prototype design and construction. Student training is in the use of manual and CNC machine tools, hand tools, sewing, welding, fasteners, materials, adhesives, and more.

This position is on-site five days a week.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Teach students how to work safely in the lab and reinforce safety protocols.
• Foster a positive, inclusive maker culture in the prototyping lab.
• Advise students regarding their project ideas, guiding them in testing, design and fabrication.
• Mentor students in the prototyping lab, including individual instruction as needed.
• Collaborate with faculty who teach courses who use the lab.
• Teach introductory and advanced training sessions and/or classes in the use of tools and facilities.
• Take initiative in developing student-facing trainings, tutorials, videos, etc.
• Help students select and source materials and components.
• Administer records for user trainings. Ensure lab users are qualified to use equipment, and inhibit un-authorized or unsafe use.
• Maintain equipment, facility, and supplies in safe, accessible, and usable order.
• Work with, encourage, and support a cohort of student-trainers.
• This job may require up to 20% of work to be performed in evenings and on weekends, based on the needs of students and programs. Work hours may vary with the time of the academic year.
• Teach introductory and advanced classes in the use of machine tools. Result: Effective and efficient use of lab equipment by students.
• Consult with students about project requirements and how to design prototypes to meet those requirements, including the use of manual, conversational and CNC machines as well as CAD/CAM software, woodworking, plastics, sheet metal, and soft materials. Result: Better designs that meet requirements.
• Mentor students in the Lab, with individual consultation & instruction in techniques for the specific details & needs of projects. Result: Better understanding of the intricacies of effective fabrication.
• Purchase materials as necessary. Result: Lab has resources necessary to operate safely.
• Provide training and support, and oversee operations for extracurricular student projects. Result: Full support for all associated student activities.
• Lead the effort in the Lab to periodically analyze and assess use of physical resources, and to identify near/mid/long term objectives for improvement. In particular, this effort will develop a practical strategic approach to meet Segal Design Institute goals for effective and efficient design engineering support. Result: Evolve the physical infrastructure in a timely, cost effective manner.
• Administer lab records for student/faculty usage. Oversee and participate in the execution of Lab improvement actions consistent with objectives mentioned immediately above. Participate as appropriate in all autobay improvement efforts; perform equipment maintenance and repairs. Result: Ensure students/faculty/staff are qualified to use designated lab and shop equipment and inhibit un-authorized use that is unsafe for users and equipment. Ensure lab usage is accurately recorded. Provides safe, functional Lab/autobay with efficient use of space.
• Provide primary training and support for McCormick department courses and projects, and coordinate related application of overall lab support. Mentor those in the Design and Prototyping Specialist position to increase their understanding of the design process. Result: Main resources for support and mentoring of students in the lab, including individual consultation & instruction in techniques and strategies for design & guild projects. Increased understanding of the interrelationships of proficiency development for effective fabrication associated student lab/shop practices.
• Attend regular meetings with Segal faculty to assist in planning and executing engineering design curriculum. Result: Better compatibility and coordination between curriculum design and training provided in the Prototyping Lab.
• Fabricate specific parts with priorities as designated in the Lab Memorandum of Understanding

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Educational equivalent of a 2 year technical degree, or commensurate experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities has been acquired.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Knowledge of occupational and health best practices, hazards and necessary safety precautions for training, operation and maintenance of machines.
• An exceptional degree of patience, empathy, maturity, and responsibility in order to train, teach, and mentor large numbers of students with varying skills and ages who are executing a myriad of projects, often under time pressure.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Educational equivalent of a 4 year technical degree, or commensurate experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities has been acquired.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Experience collaborating with and mentoring students.
• Proficiency in the operation & maintenance of manual and CNC machine tools & other fabrication equipment, in a prototyping environment.
• Proficiency in welding and soldering.
• Knowledge of and experience in creating mock-ups & prototypes, including the role of prototyping in an overall iterative design process, needs & requirements research, creative design options, material selection and fabrication process selection.
• Experience training individuals in tool and equipment usage in both formal training and ad hoc training.
• Ability to collaborate with a team of Design & Prototyping Specialists.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $61,242 - $86,121 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at to learn more.

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