Machinist

This job was posted by https://www.azjobconnection.gov : For more

information, please see: https://www.azjobconnection.gov/jobs/7312735


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r**Machinist**

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rNorthern Arizona University

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r****Special Information****

• This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to
  
  

complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility

with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are

rare.

• Driving a vehicle on behalf of the university is anticipated to be a
  
  

regular part of this position. Arizona Administrative Code Fleet

Safety Policy requires all employees who drive on university

business become authorized by submitting Driver\'s license

information for driving record monitoring, and completion of

training appropriate to the level of driving performed. The law

applies to all faculty, staff, and students who drive personal or

university-owned motorized vehicles for any business purpose. More

information on the NAU Authorized Driver Policy can be found on the

NAU website.

****About the Department/College****

About the Department/ Lab: The Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME)

is known for its student-centered approach and strong emphasis on

hands-on learning and research. It offers a full suite of degree

programs-bachelor\'s, master\'s, and Ph.D - and is housed in the Steve

Sanghi College of Engineering. The department fosters close

faculty-student interaction, with a focus on mentoring and collaborative

research. Faculty and students engage in cutting-edge work in areas like

solid mechanics, thermal-fluids, energy systems, intelligent systems,

robotics, and bioengineering. The undergraduate Mechanical Engineering

degree program is ABET-accredited, ensuring a rigorous and

industry-aligned curriculum. The Department currently has over 650

students and 17 faculty, and blends academic rigor with a strong sense

of community and purpose.

The Machine Shop and IDEA Lab are the two fabrication facilities that

mechanical engineering majors use for prototyping a wide range of

devices/systems they design throughout the ME curriculum. The Machine

Shop, focused on subtractive manufacturing, is equipped with manual and

CNC mills, manual and CNC lathes, a surface grinder, bandsaws, shop

grinders/polishers, as well as a welding station. The IDEA lab, focused

mainly on additive manufacturing, is equipped with several polymer 3D

printers and a metal powder 3D printer. All pieces of equipment

available in both facilities are regularly used by students for class

projects.

**About the Position**

The Mechanical Engineering Department at Northern Arizona University

aims to hire a machinist who will be responsible for setting up,

operating, and maintaining a variety of machine tools-including lathes,

milling machines, drill presses, and CNC equipment-to fabricate

precision metal parts, instruments, and tools. This position requires

reading and interpreting blueprints, sketches, and CAD files to

determine specifications, planning the sequence of operations, and

ensuring parts meet exacting tolerances and quality standards. A

successful candidate will demonstrate strong mechanical aptitude,

attention to detail, proficiency in interpreting technical drawings, and

familiarity with both manual and CNC machining operations. Effective

communication skills and a commitment to safety protocols are essential

in this educational environment.

**Responsibilities Include**

60% - Manufacturing Projects for Capstone Teams and Faculty

• Machine one-off prototypes and low-volume parts on manual
  
  

mills/lathes and on CNC equipment (mills, lathes, EDM, plasma

cutter).

• Weld project components using GMAW, SMAW, and GTAW processes;
  
  

perform basic oxy/propane cutting or heating operations.

• Interpret and verify engineering dr wings, blueprints, and CAD
  
  

models; suggest material choices, tolerances, and machining or

welding strategies.

• Collaborate with student teams to review designs for
  
  

manufacturability; recommend modifications during early test

iterations.

• Maintain detailed job logs, inspection reports, and fabrication
  
  

notes to support continuous improvement and repeatability.

• Assist faculty with fabrication of classroom demonstrations, test
  
  

rigs, and research hardware.

25% - Machine Maintenance

• Set up, calibrate, and perform preventive maintenance on all Machine
  
  

Shop equipment (manual, CNC, welding, EDM, and plasma systems).

• Monitor tooling condition; select, order, and inventory cutting
  
  

tools, welding consumables, gases, and safety supplies.

• Document maintenance actions and machine status in shop records.
  
  

10% - Training on Safety Protocols

• Enforce ME Machine Shop safety rules; deliver safety orientations
  
  

covering machining, welding, torch work, and CNC plasma/EDM

operations.

• Provide hands-on instruction in basic and advanced machining
  
  

techniques; coach students through Capstone part fabrication.

• Supervise students during open-shop hours, ensuring correct PPE use
  
  

and safe machine practices.

• Model a culture of continuous improvement and professional conduct
  
  

in a teaching shop environment.

5% - Other