Design & Prototyping Specialist Senior

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.

*Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

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.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, SKILLS) Identify the minimum qualifications required to successfully perform the job. Qualifications include education, experience, specialized knowledge, professional certification.

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

• Educational equivalent of a 4 year technical degree, or commensurate experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities has been acquired.
• 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 $64,000-$86,000 per year or per hour. 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 https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html 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 https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html 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 https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.