What are the responsibilities and job description for the Makerspace Lab Director position at Montana State University?
Mechanical & Industrial Engineering (M&IE) is the largest engineering academic department on the MSU Bozeman campus with ~1,421 undergraduate and graduate student enrollment. It offers four undergraduate programs which include Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, and Financial Engineering. The department also offers M.S. degrees in Industrial & Management Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, and the PhD in Industrial Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. Also offered are several minors which include: Aerospace, Mechatronics, Materials, Building Energy Systems, Engineering Management and Financial Engineering. The department maintains a robust research component, with a growing number of graduate students.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop a strategic vision for future lab capabilities and create corresponding funding proposals to support that vision.
- Generate revenue by promoting and marketing the lab for campus and community use.
- Travel to events to promote MSU’s Makerspace capabilities.
- Oversee the hiring, scheduling, training, mentoring, and management of a student staff of 4–6 individuals each semester.
- Ensure the lab operates safely and efficiently during open hours and while hosting classes.
- Establish and enforce equipment usage and safety procedures.
- Coordinate outreach activities held in the Makerspace or involving Makerspace equipment.
- Organize workshops that support curriculum needs or are requested by new users.
- Continue developing on-campus workshops and provide mentorship to the many students utilizing the space.
- Maintain lab equipment, manage inventory and purchases of consumable items, and oversee the lab budget.
- Schedule space usage for classes (both within the College of Engineering and across campus), student clubs, and individual students.
- Maintain the Makerspace website (www.montana.edu/makerspace) and social media presence in accordance with MSU standards.
- Provide backup technician support for other departmental labs as needed.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology and significant years of experience in a related field.
- Experience in design and manufacturing, engineering or a related technical field.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Master’s degree in Engineering and two years of experience in a related field.
- Prior experience in industrial education through teaching design, manufacturing or other related fields.
- Experience directing or coordinating activities in a lab with a broad user base.
The Successful Candidate Will
- Possess the ability to effectively communicate and maintain positive professional working relationships with faculty, students, and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds.
- Possess the ability to establish working relationships across a broad range of design-build projects.
- Possess the ability to effectively communicate with members of the community during outreach events and about the use of the Makerspace.
- Possess the ability to implement lab activities that support course outcomes.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties?
Yes
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
Upon completion of a successful search.
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on December 8, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
