Job Summary

The Purdue School of Mechanical Engineering utilizes our Project Engineering and Realization Laboratory Supervisor position to serve as our safety manager for all student designed capstone projects. These projects span the wide spectrum of Mechanical Engineering and typically solve novel and complex problems. This position will consult with students and staff in creating safety operating procedures to ensure all appropriate safety protocols are in place. As a resource to students and staff for the capstone project opportunities to support them in solving instrumentation and methodological challenges will occur. This position serves as the final reviewer for all prototypes made prior to full scale testing.

This position also provides direct instruction and supervision for the use of the 3D printer facility on the West Lafayette campus which serves the schools project-based courses. This responsibility includes hiring and training students to staff the lab, the repair and rehabilitation of the equipment, managing supplies, and managing the lifecycle of the equipment. This position will work with faculty, staff, and students at an operational level regarding policies, practices, and procedures to ensure the desired outcomes are met. This position also serves as a resource for the Indianapolis campus support staff to assist in meeting the 3D printing resources needs at the Indianapolis campus.

This position will oversee the operation of the material testing instructional facility on the West Lafayette campus. This facility houses various Instron testing machines used to evaluate material properties (i.e. tensile strength, compression, and flex). The responsibilities include overseeing the support for teaching assistants, faculty, and students for the ME Mechanics of Materials course as well as coordinating the usage of the machines in ‘one off’ test requirements for students in other courses. These machines utilize electromechanical controls and software to precisely control tests and analyze results for quality control. This position requires a broad knowledge of controls and the ability to troubleshoot and diagnose issues. At times it will be required to work independently to manage time sensitive, as well as complex problems, and the ability to communicate with faculty, staff, and external parties to maintain a functional lab.

As a staff member for the manufacturing spaces team this position will provide direct support contiguous manufacturing spaces within the Mechanical Engineering department. Provide supervisory support to other School manufacturing facilities as required to cover other team member absences. Supervisory role may include the manual project machine shop, CNC machine shop, wood innovation studio, sheet metal studio.

This position will ensure safety is maintained within the manufacturing mall complex and assist with proper training procedures for teaching assistants and student employees. This position will also serve as an instructional lab supervisor, providing direct support to faculty, staff, and students. 

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:

• Serve as the safety officer for all projects constructed in the ME PEARL facility and capstone design course.
• Create and implement frameworks and procedures to address safety issues related to the construction and testing of novel student constructed prototypes.
• Provide final inspections and approvals for full-scale testing of student prototypes.
• Provide the final safety review for student testing procedures before students enter the testing phases.
• Coordinate and engage appropriate university areas as required for the safety of students and student project testing.
• Provide extensive consulting and mentoring services to student groups throughout the entire design, build, and test phases of the capstone design course to ensure student success.
• Provide expertise in material choices, manufacturing techniques, electrical safety, and prototype guarding as needed.
• Supervise the Rapid Prototyping lab.
• Create safety policies and procedures to ensure the safe operation of the facility.
• Coordinate the purchasing of materials and record usage trends among courses.
• Hire, train, and mentor student staff to monitor and manage the facility.
• Train users and student employees in the proper operation and usage of the FDM and Lithography printers used in the lab.
• Provide expertise to uses on the capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses of each type of machine and material used in the facility as it relates to their project goals and requirements.
• Provide expertise to assist students in the translation of computer model into a printed part, ensuring appropriate slicing, infill percentages, and build orientations are used to meet the project requirements.
• Maintain usage information to recommend updates to equipment in the facility to better meet student and course needs within the school.
• Use root cause analysis to troubleshoot recurring issues with the facility and its equipment.  
• Provide supervisory support to other School manufacturing facilities as required to ensure user safety to cover other team member absences.
• Supervisory role may include serving the manual project machine shop, CNC machine shop, and the wood innovation studio.
• Supervise the material testing lab.
• Work with faculty and teaching assistants to create safe operating procedures of the facility.
• Coordinate with Instron to ensure machines are maintained to maintain accuracy and usability.
• When required and scheduling allows, coordinate with specific student groups not enrolled in ME 32301, Mechanics of Materials Lab, to provide access to the testing equipment to meet the requirements and needs of their projects.
• Provide the expertise to take student project goals and translate that into the Instron Testing program system to achieve desired outcomes.
• Work with faculty, T.A.’s, and external parties to maintain adequate operation of the equipment.
• Instrumentation may be used for analytical testing or research by undergraduate as well as graduate students. 
• Complete continuing education activities to improve knowledge of the materials and processes and how to effectively teach safe making methods.

About Us:

The School of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University has a mission to change the world for the better, one student at a time. We began in 1882 as experts in locomotives (thus the name "Boilermakers!") and now in the 21st century, we continue to move the world forward by combining the latest technologies with the strongest of fundamentals.

About 2,600 undergraduate students are part of the Purdue ME family in West Lafayette, Indiana.  As one of the broadest engineering disciplines, our students and faculty have the widest variety of interests and expertise. We maintain high standards, whether in the classroom, the laboratory, or the workplace.  Purdue ME is one of the top ten schools in the country, as ranked by US News & World Report.

For more information about our department, please visit: https://engineering.purdue.edu/ME

What We're Looking For:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM or Education
• Five (5) years of experience required
• Background in teaching or working in a teaching shop environment preferred
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered

Skills needed:

• Using Manual Machine Tools (metal, wood, fabrics, and basic fabrication techniques)
• CAD software fundamentals using AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar software
• CNC knowledge desired but not required

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 Contributions immediately  

EOE

Purdue University is an EO/EA University