Co-Lab Professional Fabrication & Design Specialist

Co-Lab Professional Fabrication & Design Specialist

Work Arrangement:
On-Site

Location:

Durham, NC, US, 27710

Date:
Jul 14, 2026

Be You.

The Innovation Co‑Lab is looking for a Co‑Lab Professional Fabrication & Design Specialist to join our team in the Office of Information Technology (OIT). This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Innovation Co‑Lab’s Bluesmith and Design Hub team in support of the design and fabrication needs of the whole Duke community.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all aspects of the Bluesmith and Design Hub program from initial consult to final project delivery.
• Collaborate closely with students, faculty, and staff to bring their ideas to life, and support the development of special projects.
• Manage design and fabrication workflows from start to finish.
• Provide technical consulting to faculty and other members of the Duke community on technical hurdles outside their field of expertise.
• Mentor Co‑Lab Grant projects and other programming designed to broaden access and remove barriers to technology education and experimentation.
• Fabricate special projects to support the Innovation Co‑Lab’s goals and mission.
• Cultivate relationships and partnerships across campus to help identify gaps in services and equipment offerings.
• Lead and train student employees who support these services.

• Bachelor's degree in a creative field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Positive attitude and ability to adapt to changing requirements and environment.
• Hands‑on problem‑solving skills.
• Experience with creating 3D models using CAD software.
• Experience with 3D printing (SLA, MJP, SLS, Poly Jet, FDM).
• Proven record of managing design and fabrication workflows from start to finish.
• Passion for teaching others about making and designing.
• Eager and willing to learn and apply new concepts.
• Comfort presenting services to new users/customers.
• Proven ability to work successfully in both team and individual situations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Passion for supporting experimentation and creation.
• Ability to lift at least 30 lbs.

• Advanced experience with creating 3D models using CAD software.
• Interest in the intersection between 3D printing and research.
• Advanced experience with 3D printing (SLA, MJP, SLS, Poly Jet, FDM, PBJ).
• Advanced fabrication and design skills.
• Experience running an academic service center.
• Sales and lead generation experience.

• Maintain and operate OIT’s professional digital modeling and fabrication facilities and services (Bluesmith and Design Hub).
• Maintain a fleet of high‑end 3D printing and fabrication systems.
• Maintain inventory of supported resins, filaments, powders, and other consumables.
• Maintain expert level knowledge of relevant technologies, vendors, and business trends.
• Evaluate new and emerging technologies and, where appropriate, develop operational policies and services to support broad access.
• Ownership of financial processes and documentation.
• Plan for growth and maturation of the service center to broaden access to relevant communities at Duke and generate leads for grant‑funded research efforts.

• Develop and conduct design training workshops for the Duke community.
• Assist with promotion of the Co‑Lab's capabilities through demonstrations, events, social media, and technical presentations.
• Serve as a technical consultant to faculty and other members of the Duke community on technical hurdles outside their field of expertise.
• Mentor Co‑Lab Grant projects and other programming designed to broaden access and remove barriers to technology education and experimentation.
• Fabricate special projects to support the Innovation Co‑Lab’s goals and mission.
• Cultivate relationships and partnerships across campus to identify gaps in services and equipment offerings.
• Provide strategic direction around the Bluesmith Service Model, through regular outreach to users and stakeholders.

Choose Duke.

The Innovation Co‑Lab is a creativity incubator embedded within Duke’s Office of Information Technology. We empower students, faculty, and staff to explore emerging…