Job Summary
The School of Aeronautics and Astronautics is seeking a Lab Coordinator, Associate. This position will provide instructional and operational support for laboratory courses. Prepare and maintain experiments, order supplies and equipment, and deliver course and safety training to teaching assistants. The Lab Coordinator, Associate will assist faculty with the development of laboratory-based instruction and with the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and standards.
This position offers a chance to make a meaningful impact at a prestigious institution known for innovation and research excellence. Join our community of lifelong learners and contribute your skills to this critical program. At Purdue, you'll find unrivaled pride and unlimited potential as we persistently pursue the next giant leap together. Take the next step in your career journey - apply now to help build a better world at Purdue University.
What You'll Be Doing:
Provide instructional and operational support for laboratory courses, including the following:
- Set-up weekly laboratory experiments for a variety of laboratory courses including but not limited to structures, controls, and aerodynamics
- Test experiments to ensure operating properly
- Train teaching assistants on proper operation of laboratory equipment
- Clean up and properly store experiments for use in subsequent courses and semesters
- Order replacement consumables for laboratory classes
Assist faculty with the development of laboratory-based instruction:
- Work with faculty to design and revise experiments for the hands-on laboratory courses
- Design and fabricate experiments based on faculty inputs
- Provide recommendations for potential experiments
- Develop laboratory instructions/procedures for experiments
Maintain experiments; order supplies and equipment:
- Complete routine maintenance on universal testing machine, fatigue machine, controls equipment, and data acquisition equipment to ensure they remain operational for students
- Modify equipment set-ups to meet the needs of the laboratory courses
- Order consumables and necessary equipment in order for students to conduct the laboratory exercises
- Schedule lab usage outside of academic class periods
Deliver course and safety training to teaching assistants. Adapt existing training materials to meet needs of the lab equipment and spaces. Train teaching assistants on proper operation of laboratory equipment.
About Us:
Purdue’s School of Aeronautics and Astronautics graduate program is ranked #5 nationally in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings, emphasizing core areas like aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, dynamics, and control, with hands-on design projects that integrate these disciplines. Graduates are highly sought after by leading aerospace employers, prepared for impactful careers in aviation, defense, and space exploration. Find more information here: https://engineering.purdue.edu/AAE
What We're Looking For:
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- One (1) year of experience in lab operation, research, or teaching/instruction within an engineering or science context required
- Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered
Skills needed:
- Ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals, including students, staff, faculty, machinists, external vendors, etc.
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Ability to balance interruptions across multiple and varied tasks
- Basic understanding of structural mechanics, aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, and flight dynamics and control.
- Aptitude for mechanical and electrical systems
- Skills in parametric CAD modeling; soldering; and LabVIEW, Matlab, Python, or other computing languages
- Basic understanding of analog, digital, and serial data communication
Who We Are:
Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.
Additional Information:
- Purdue’s benefits summary https://www.purdue.edu/hr/Benefits/
- Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
- A background check will be required for employment in this position
- FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
- Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contribution Waiting Period
- Purdue University is an EO/EA University