Manufacturing Automation Engineers

Job Summary

Advanced Manufacturing Engineers. The University of Utah Department of Mechanical Engineering is seeking a staff engineer in the area of advanced manufacturing to help build a premier advanced manufacturing facility and to support workforce development through hands‑on training of students and operational management of manufacturing‑related lab courses. This position directly shapes the future of advanced manufacturing by ensuring students gain the skills, confidence, and technical fluency required by modern industry.

The selected candidate will help build the infrastructure, culture, and capabilities that define a cutting‑edge manufacturing program.

• Oversee and support the day‑to‑day technical operations of manufacturing‑related laboratory courses, ensuring safe, reliable, and high‑quality learning environments.
• Design, build, and implement new laboratory infrastructure aligned with modern manufacturing paradigms, including automation, digital workflows, advanced materials, and data‑driven process control.
• Train, mentor, and supervise students in hands‑on manufacturing techniques, equipment operation, and engineering best practices to prepare a highly capable workforce for industry needs.
• Collaborate with faculty and instructional staff to continuously improve lab content, demonstrations, and experiential learning modules.
• Maintain and upgrade manufacturing equipment, instrumentation, and digital systems to support evolving curricular and research needs.
• Serve as a technical resource for student teams, capstone projects, and industry‑aligned initiatives requiring advanced manufacturing expertise.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, operational protocols, and documentation practices across all lab activities.

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT : 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience or a master’s (or equivalency) degree.

Job Code: P45801 Grade: P15

Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.

Job Code: P45802 Grade: P17

Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.

Job Code: P45803 Grade: P19

• Significant hands‑on experience with manufacturing processes, laboratory operations, or technical training environments
• Demonstrated ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot manufacturing equipment, instrumentation, and digital tools used in instructional or prototyping labs.
• Strong communication, teamwork, and mentoring skills, with experience training students, technicians, or early‑career engineers in safe and effective manufacturing practices.
• Proven ability to manage day‑to‑day lab activities, prioritize concurrent tasks, and maintain a safe, organized, and high‑functioning learning environment.
• Familiarity with modern manufacturing paradigms such as additive manufacturing, robot‑assisted manufacturing, automation, digital workflows, or data‑driven process control.
• Willingness and expressed interest to continuously up‑skill to build the most cutting‑edge manufacturing technologies within the advanced manufacturing facility.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy‑related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the…