Req #: 235241Department: APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORYPosting Date: 06/06/2024Closing Info:
Closes On 06/13/2024Salary: $8,000 - $9,000 per monthLimited Recruitment: Open to Department employees onlyShift: First ShiftNotes:
As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-staff-20230119a11y.pdf) As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state, and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world.UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities, and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.The Ocean Engineering team at the Applied Physics Laboratory at the University of Washington is hiring – See Yourself at APL (https://seeyourselfapl.uw.edu/) ! The Applied Physics Laboratory is a research unit at the University of Washington. Our research expertise is in ocean physics and engineering, ocean and medical acoustics, polar science, environmental remote sensing, and signal processing. We conduct research and development that is sponsored by a variety of federal and state agencies and take great pride in our long-standing status as a US Navy-designated University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). Our work takes place not only on the University of Washington campus and medical centers, but in field locations around the world – at sea, in the air, and on polar ice caps. We apply rigorous scientific inquiry and engineering excellence in pursuit of solutions to important problems for the good of our region, nation, and world.Diversity is a core value at the University of Washington and the Applied Physics Laboratory shares this commitment. We are focused on building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable research environment for all students, staff, and collaborators. We believe every member of our team enriches our community by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver solutions.We are seeking a full-time Machine Shop Assistant Manager to join the team. This position provides the Machine Shop Manager with crucial operational, strategic, and managerial support.Operational Support: The Machine Shop Assistant Manager performs multiple responsibilities in providing operational support essential to the seamless functioning of the Shop. This involves oversight of day-to-day activities on the shop floor, including work order facilitation, supply procurement, and coordination of external services. Additionally, the Assistant Manager is responsible for maintaining essential software licenses and updates, managing regular and one-off stock supplies, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Their ability to troubleshoot equipment issues and conduct timely repairs further enhances the operational efficiency of the Shop. The Assistant Manager also serves as a key resource and mentor to the Fabrication Engineer Lead and Fabrication Engineers in mechanical design interpretation and analysis, precision machining, CNC programming, CAD software installation and operation, fabrication methods (including water-jetting, galvanizing, 3D printing, anodizing), safety regulations and material, tooling and equipment specification.Strategic Support: Teaming with the Shop Manager and OE department leadership, the Assistant Manager contributes to the planning and execution of strategic initiatives to optimize shop performance, enhance overall productivity, and improve responsiveness to the changing needs of the Shop customer base. This involves analyzing current operational workflows, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing innovative solutions to streamline processes. The Assistant Manager plays a pivotal role in strategic planning, providing valuable insights and technological and process recommendations based on their in-depth understanding of Shop operations and industry best practices.Managerial Support: The Assistant Manager is a critical part of the Shop leadership team and provides managerial support to the Shop Manager, thereby facilitating effective workload distribution, talent development, and team management. The Assistant Manager serves as a conduit between Fabrication Engineers and leadership, ensuring effective communication and alignment of Shop goals and objectives. In the absence of the Shop Manager, the Assistant Manager seamlessly transitions into the role of Acting Shop Manager, overseeing all aspects of shop operations and ensuring continuity. Additionally, the Assistant Manager plays an essential role in mentoring and training shop staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development. Through their management skills, they foster a collaborative and high-performing work environment.Major duties and responsibilities: Under limited direction of the Machine Shop Manager, the incumbent will be responsible for:Operations:
a. Manage day-to-day shop operations, including work order management and material procurement.
b. Coordinate external services and maintain relationships with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of materials and services.
c. Oversee maintenance of software licenses and manage stock supplies.
d. Troubleshoot equipment issues and coordinate repairs to minimize downtime.
e. Ensure compliance with safety regulations and conduct regular inspections to maintain a safe working environment.
f. Serve as Shop representative for all EHS shop inspections.
g. Perform other operational duties as assigned by the Shop Manager.Strategic Planning:
a. Collaborate with the Shop Manager to identify areas for process improvement and implement strategic initiatives to enhance efficiency.
b. Analyze operational workflows to optimize productivity and resource utilization.
c. Provide insights and recommendations based on industry best practices to drive continuous improvement.
d. Assist in strategic planning activities to align shop objectives with organizational goals.
e. Stay abreast of industry trends and technological advancements to inform strategic decision-making.Managerial Support:
a. Assist in workload distribution and talent management to ensure optimal resource allocation.
b. Serve as acting Shop Manager in the manager's absence, overseeing all aspects of shop operations.
c. Facilitate communication between shop personnel and upper management to ensure alignment of objectives.
d. Mentor and train shop staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development.
e. Foster a collaborative and high-performing work environment conducive to achieving organizational goals.Mechanical Fabrication, Machining, and Assembly:
a. Collaborate closely with engineers to align fabrication efforts with sponsored research objectives, offering expertise in interpreting and analyzing mechanical device designs.
b. Provide input to Principal Investigators (PIs) and engineers, leveraging extensive experience to optimize design, fabrication, and production processes, as well as material selection.
c. Contribute to the progression of research efforts through the application of subject matter expertise, adept problem identification and strategic review, and navigating fabrication challenges.
d. Offer innovative engineering and fabrication solutions to address the unique challenges posed by field programs, often requiring rapid, resourceful problem-solving.
e. Maintain documentation of research equipment and instrument designs, ensuring accurate records for future reference and replication.
f. Utilize advanced proficiency in fabrication design to interpret CAD drawings supplied by engineers, facilitating the fabrication, machining, welding, assembly, and integration of hardware for cutting-edge scientific research instruments.
g. Program precision CNC machining tools to fabricate and produce hardware with exacting precision.
h. Operate both CNC and manual machines proficiently in the fabrication and production processes, ensuring adherence to specified requirements and tolerances outlined by engineers.
i. Effectively communicate any design changes resulting from the production process to engineers, ensuring transparency and alignment with project objectives.
j. Troubleshoot and resolve issues pertaining to designs, equipment, materials, and methods, providing insightful recommendations for improvement.
k. Specify, source, and procure necessary parts, materials, and services to fulfill fabrication objectives, including but not limited to water-jetting and galvanizing processes.
l. Responsively address requests for input on custom part designs, materials, or fabrication methods for scientific instruments, leveraging expertise to optimize outcomes.Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field and four years of related experience.
US Citizenship.
Experience with CNC programming and operation, manual machining, and welding.
Supervisory experience in a machine shop setting.
Strong attention to detail.
Ability to repeatedly lift and move 50 lbs or more.
Effective interpersonal and teamwork skills.
Ability to work independently, and as part of a research team, interacting cooperatively with people from diverse backgrounds, academic levels, and nationalities.
Proficiency with SolidWorks, CAMWorks, and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel).Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration. Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.