Technician A - Manufacturing Systems Lab

Job Responsibilities

• Assist in the set up and operation of student laboratory exercises; work closely with small groups of students
• Train faculty and graduate assistants for instruction of class practicums
• Responsible for maintaining supplies and materials to ensure the efficient operations of the metal cutting laboratory, metal joining laboratory, materials casting laboratory, and electrical/computer laboratory
• Initiate purchase orders and maintain supplier information and catalogs
• Meet with sales representatives
• Prepare recommendations for new products to purchase
• Perform duties of machinist
• Set up and operate shop equipment such as milling machines, lathes, drill presses, etc.
• Work to tolerances of 0.0001 inch from drawings and sketches
• Perform duties as foundry worker
• Set up and operate induction furnace, cupola, gas melting furnace, centrifugal casting machine, molding machines, core-making equipment, nondestructive testing equipment, hand molding, pattern making, and material analysis equipment
• Perform duties as a welder
• Operate various equipment in the lab for forging and metal joining; perform brazing, silver soldering, and heat treating
• When necessary, assist, replace, and assume the duties of the technician in any other Industrial Engineering Laboratory
• Perform duties involving carpentry, plumbing, metal joining, painting, electrical wiring, forklift operation, and foundry work, as required
• Assure safe operation of equipment and use of safe practices by the students; correct unsafe practices and conditions where possible
• Report hazardous conditions to class instructor and supervisor. Maintain work and storage area in a clean and orderly condition
• Program and operate various computer-controlled equipment including robots, lathes, milling machines, and coordinate measuring instruments
• Operate state-of-the-art controls for electronic control welders, carbon-sulfur analysis equipment, programmable controller material handling system, etc.
• Attend workshops and seminars concerning the latest technology of new equipment
• Train faculty, staff, and students to operate and/or program new equipment
• Maintain new equipment according to information gained at workshops and seminars
• Submit expense accounts as appropriate
• Perform routine repair and regular preventative maintenance duties on laboratory equipment; troubleshoot major repairs
• Make recommendations as to what needs to be overhauled or discarded
• Work with supervisor and/or faculty member to obtain specific details regarding jobs to be done as appropriate; make minor adjustments to work specifications as required; refer problems to supervisor
• Operate equipment and record data in proprietary research projects
• Work closely with faculty and staff to modify instruments to convert them from one research function to another
• Perform demonstrations of laboratory exercises as requested; prepare material for exercises
• Set up and repair a wide variety of electronic, electrical, computer, and mechanical equipment in the General Engineering Laboratories
• Assess the value and importance of specific equipment being donated to the Department for use in the laboratories
• Make recommendations as to new laboratory layouts to accommodate new or discarded equipment or laboratory renovations
• Install new equipment and connect with existing equipment
• Supervise part‑time student hired each semester to assist in the machining, welding, and materials casting areas

Requires the use of advanced shop mathematics, together with the use of complicated drawings, specifications, charts, tables, handbook formulas, all varieties of adjustable measuring instruments and the use of broad training in a recognized trade or craft. Equivalent to a complete accredited, indentured apprenticeship or equivalent to high school plus a 2-year technical college education. 3 to 4 years of effective experience.

8:00 a.m.

- 4:30 p.m.
Days Off:
Saturday, Sunday

Minimum Work Experience

3 to 4 years of effective experience

Required Certifications

None

Background Checks / Clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Visa Sponsorship

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

This position is part of the bargaining unit represented by Teamsters Local Union No. 8. More information can be found here:
Collective…