Mechanical Engineering Lab Manager

Illinois State•Normal, IL

11d•$31 - $33•Onsite

About The Position

The Engineering Laboratory Manager supports the daily operation of engineering teaching laboratories by ensuring all equipment, tools, and facilities are properly maintained, safe, and ready for instruction. This role oversees preventative maintenance, inventory, and equipment upgrades; enforces safety policies and compliance with university and regulatory standards; and provides technical support to faculty, teaching assistants, and students during laboratory courses. The position also assists with lab setup, experiment development, equipment calibration, vendor coordination, and continuous improvement of lab spaces, technologies, and instructional resources. The College of Engineering (CEG) will emphasize project-based learning and applied research, and actively demonstrate societal impact engineers make across communities. For more information, visit https://illinoisstate.edu/college-engineering/. Illinois State University, IllinoisState.edu, was founded in 1857 as Illinois’ first public university. We enroll approximately 21,000 students in seven colleges. Our new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2029, lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Learn more about Illinois State’s Metrics of Excellence at IllinoisState.edu/PointsofPride. Bloomington-Normal: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance’s International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric truck manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems, and its citizens’ high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. Bloomington made Livability’s top 100 Best Places to Live (2024) and ranked No. 3 on College Values Online’s list of Best Small College Towns in America (2024). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis; two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield. Many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via Amtrak, which is located one block from Illinois State’s campus. The College of Engineering at Illinois State University is recruiting a dedicated professional to support Mechanical Engineering students in their new, state-of-the-art facility, equipped with modern instructional and laboratory spaces designed to enhance hands-on learning and student success.

Requirements

Bachelors (or higher) degree in Mechanical Engineering or Engineering Technology (transcript required) OR At least two (2) years of full time (or part-time equivalent) professional level work experience in the operation, maintenance and upkeep of traditional mechanical engineering equipment and laboratory systems, such as wind tunnels, heat exchangers, additive manufacturing equipment (3D printer), welding machinery, or comparable technologies
Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation: 1. Remain at a workstation for extended periods. 2. Distinguish colors on a monitor. 3. Effectively communicate on a daily basis. 4. Move about in various locations across campus as needed to complete day-to-day work. 5. Ability to lift a maximum of 25 lbs.

Responsibilities

Ensuring all equipment, tools, and facilities are properly maintained, safe, and ready for instruction.
Overseeing preventative maintenance, inventory, and equipment upgrades
Enforcing safety policies and compliance with university and regulatory standards
Providing technical support to faculty, teaching assistants, and students during laboratory courses.
Assisting with lab setup, experiment development, equipment calibration, vendor coordination, and continuous improvement of lab spaces, technologies, and instructional resources.