Manufacturing Engineering Lab Manager

Why Work at BYU

As the flagship higher education institution of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young University (BYU) strives to be among the exceptional universities in the world. At BYU, we are devoted to our faith and to our students. We take an active role in the University's Mission: "To assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life."

Our unique mission, deeply rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, provides countless ways to serve and make an impact. This, along with our remarkable culture of belonging, weekly devotionals, and endless opportunities for learning and growth-all situated within a beautiful and historic campus-make it hard to imagine a more inspiring place to work.

Brigham Young University strongly prefers to hire faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Manufacturing Engineering Lab Manager

We are seeking a skilled and dependable Manufacturing Engineering Lab Manager to support a dynamic and growing set of instructional laboratories.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work closely with faculty and students, ensuring that complex manufacturing laboratories operate safely, efficiently, and effectively.

If you take pride in maintaining high-quality facilities, enjoy working in a collaborative academic setting, and find satisfaction in supporting student learning, we encourage you to apply. The ideal candidate will combine strong technical ability with a practical, service-oriented approach to supporting faculty and students in a hands-on environment.

What you'll do in this position:

Laboratory Operations & Equipment

• Oversee daily lab operations, ensuring facilities are ready, staffed, and well maintained.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair equipment including CNC machines, lathes, welding systems, and foundry equipment.
• Coordinate preventative maintenance and manage vendor service relationships.
• Work with faculty to support lab instruction, research, and equipment planning.

Student Support & Safety

• Train and supervise student employees and teaching assistants.
• Provide guidance on proper use of lab equipment and processes.
• Enforce safety standards and conduct regular training and inspections.
• Maintain clear procedures to ensure a safe, orderly learning environment.

Resources & Continuous Improvement

• Manage inventory, supplies, and procurement for multiple labs.
• Assist with budget tracking and equipment lifecycle planning.
• Support automation and electrical systems and help troubleshoot issues.
• Contribute to ongoing improvements and modernization of lab capabilities.

What qualifies you for this role:

Required

• A firm commitment to the mission of BYU
• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Technology, or closely related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in manufacturing, machining, fabrication, or industrial environments.
• Strong working knowledge of electrical systems and industrial controls.
• Experience with automation systems (PLCs, sensors, actuators, motor controls).
• Proven commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or training students or technicians.
• Strong organizational and communication skills

Preferred

• Experience in an academic or university laboratory setting.
• Demonstrated experience with manual and CNC machining equipment.
• Knowledge of foundry operations and induction furnace systems.
• Welding certifications or advanced fabrication experience.
• Experience with preventative maintenance.
• Budget management or procurement experience.
• Familiarity with CAD/CAM systems.

What we offer in return:

In addition to our competitive pay structure, this position comes with fantastic benefits, including:

• 401k. BYU automatically contributes 8% at no cost to you. Additionally, if you contribute 5%, BYU adds an additional 4% (Rehires may qualify for different retirement plans)
• Excellent work-life balance: 13 paid holidays + 22 days paid vacation + 12 sick days, accrued annually
• Employee assistance program, available to the employee and all members of their household
• Tuition benefits for employees and eligible family members
• Access to athletic facilities
• Excellent…