Shop Manager

Job Summary

The Grainger Engineering Design Innovation Laboratory (GEDIL) facilitates design and prototyping across the College of Engineering, comprising the Machine Shop (Engineering Centers Building), the Design Hub (Engineering Centers Building), and the Makerspace (Wendt Commons). This highly collaborative, hands‑on role focuses on overseeing all Machine Shop operations. The Shop Manager supervises three full‑time staff and approximately 30 part‑time student staff (graduate and undergraduate) and assists a wide range of users with course, research, and personal design projects.

• Technical Support:
  Providing direct, hands‑on assistance to students utilizing shop tools.
• Innovative Training:
  Updating and improving the facility's hands‑on training curriculum.
• Instructional Liaison:
  Serving as the primary point of contact for instructors using the lab for course projects or labs.
• Student Leadership:
  Managing the hiring and supervision of student staff to cultivate a positive culture and high‑quality educational experience.

• Advises unit staff in the areas of learning theory, instructional design models, assessment, and instructional methods.
• Manages instructional equipment and supplies.
• Provides instructional design and/or technology services and support directly to faculty, staff, or other customers.
• Mays exercise supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 FTE or equivalent employees.
• Serves as the subject matter expert and unit liaison to internal and external stakeholders providing operational and strategic information and representing the interests of the unit, division, or institution.
• Provides effective project management and overall coordination of project teams to meet deadlines.
• Manages a portfolio of instructional design and/or technology services and support; may recommend, test, and audit selected learning technologies and/or methods.
• Manages faculty development and engagement programs.
• Develops and maintains knowledge of the specific and unique needs of the unit, division, or institution; develops or assists with the development of strategic planning initiatives and objectives.
• Mays monitor the unit budget and/or approve expenditures.

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in engineering design, manufacturing, and/or design-related instruction.
• Minimum of 5 years of supervisory or leadership experience managing technical staff.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively with students, staff, and faculty.
• Comprehensive knowledge of, and a demonstrated commitment to current shop safety procedures, including the proper handling of tools, machinery, and materials.

• Computer Aided Design (CAD)
• Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM)
• Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
• Operation of both manual and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) mills and lathes.
• Welding processes.
• Creating, managing, and delivering a hands‑on engineering curriculum.

Required:

Bachelor's degree in engineering.

Preferred:
Master’s degree in engineering.

The starting salary is $100,000, negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

College of Engineering, The Grainger Engineering Design Innovation Laboratory

The University of Wisconsin‑Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other basis defined by federal regulations and UW System policies.