Makerspace Lab Director

Dilpreet Bajwa
Department Head

dilpreet.bajwa

Managing Director – Makerspace Lab Director

The Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department is seeking a lab technician and manager to direct the Makerspace located in Norm Asbjornson Hall. The Makerspace supports students by providing a space where they can build, test and prototype designs and also serves as a primary lab for several NACOE courses. The director will have primary facility responsibility and will manage and supervise operations, advise and assist with student projects, coordinate with faculty across campus on facility use, plan and conduct equipment maintenance, provide future vision and planning to include writing equipment and capability proposals, conduct student worker hiring, training, scheduling, mentoring and supervision, and plan and participate in many outreach venues.

• Develop a strategic vision for future lab capabilities and create corresponding funding proposals to support that vision.
• Generate revenue by promoting and marketing the lab for campus and community use.
• Travel to events to promote MSU’s Makerspace capabilities.
• Oversee the hiring, scheduling, training, mentoring, and management of a student staff of 4–6 individuals each semester.
• Ensure the lab operates safely and efficiently during open hours and while hosting classes.
• Establish and enforce equipment usage and safety procedures.
• Coordinate outreach activities held in the Makerspace or involving Makerspace equipment.
• Organize workshops that support curriculum needs or are requested by new users.
• Continue developing on-campus workshops and provide mentorship to the many students utilizing the space.
• Maintain lab equipment, manage inventory and purchases of consumable items, and oversee the lab budget.
• Schedule space usage for classes (both within the College of Engineering and across campus), student clubs, and individual students.
• Maintain the Makerspace website ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) and social media presence in accordance with MSU standards.
• Provide backup technician support for other departmental labs as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology and significant years of experience (in a related field).
• Experience in design and manufacturing, engineering or a related technical field.

• Master’s degree in Engineering and two years of experience in a related field.
• Prior experience in industrial education through teaching design, manufacturing or other related fields.
• Experience directing or coordinating activities in a lab with a broad user base.

• Possess the ability to effectively communicate and maintain positive professional working relationships with faculty, students, and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds.
• Possess the ability to establish working relationships across a broad range of design-build projects.
• Possess the ability to effectively communicate with members of the community during outreach events and about the use of the Makerspace.
• Possess the ability to implement lab activities that support course outcomes.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Screening of applications will begin on December 8, 2025
; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional:
Supplemental questions may be submitted at the applicant’s discretion.