"Alerted.org

Position Title:Teaching Lab Specialist III

Job Group:Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:Experience designing, fabricating, and machining components using CNC equipment, manual mills/lathes, 3D printers, or welding tools.

Prior experience supporting engineering laboratories in an academic or research environment, including lab setup, equipment maintenance, and student instructional support.

Demonstrated knowledge of safety standards related to machining, manufacturing processes, and laboratory operations (e.g., OSHA, machine shop safety, lockout/tagout).

Proficiency with engineering and design software such as SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, MATLAB, or other CAD/CAM tools.

Experience mentoring, instructing, or training students or teams, particularly in hands-on engineering, fabrication, or competitive engineering groups (e.g., SAE, robotics, Formula teams).

Job Description:

The Mechanical Engineering Department at Iowa State University is seeking a skilled and innovative professional to support the design, fabrication, instruction, and operation of departmental laboratories and maker spaces. This role plays a critical part in advancing teaching, research, and student experiential learning by providing technical expertise, maintaining state-of-the-art equipment, and collaborating directly with faculty, staff, and students. The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on skills, a commitment to safety, and a passion for supporting engineering education.

Key Responsibilities

+ Design, fabricate, and assemble projects and equipment for the Mechanical Engineering Department and fee-for-service projects.

+ Manage laboratory and manufacturing equipment to ensure proper functionality, safety, and availability.

+ Collaborate with faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students on teaching and research projects.

+ Provide technical and instructional support for core Mechanical Engineering classes and related research activities.

+ Design, maintain, and improve laboratory testing procedures, experimental setups, and equipment to support core learning outcomes.

+ Prepare and set up laboratory spaces, equipment, and classrooms for instruction and demonstrations.

+ Administer laboratory instruction and enforce safety protocols.

+ Instruct and train faculty, staff, and students (graduate and undergraduate) on safe operation of machinery, manufacturing equipment, and specialized software.

+ Advise and support student groups (e.g., SAE, First Robotics, Formula) on manufacturability, safe machining practices, and project planning.

+ Order and manage materials, equipment, and consumables for Mechanical Engineering courses.

+ Identify, research, and procure equipment or upgrades that improve safety and laboratory operations.

+ Showcase facilities and student projects to visiting industry partners to encourage sponsorship and engagement.

+ Assist with outreach activities, including planning and providing demonstrations in laboratory spaces.

About the Department

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University is home to the university’s first awarded diploma and continues to be its most popular major. Internationally recognized for leadership in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, design innovation, and cutting-edge simulation, the department works closely with industry and federal partners to push the boundaries of engineering. What truly defines our department is our culture—one that celebrates curiosity, hands-on experimentation, creativity, and discovery. Faculty, staff, and students collaborate in an environment driven by innovation and impact. Joining our team means becoming part of a community dedicated not only to educating future engineers, but to shaping problem-solvers and innovators poised to make meaningful contributions to the world.

Example of Duties• Evaluates, purchases, and maintains equipment and supplies for a lab program.• Manages the operation and maintenance of lab equipment.• Sets up labs to accommodate large amounts of students.• Administers safety protocols.• Leads lab courses and acts as instructor.• Develops new models for lab work and designs lab courses.• Maintains and develops budget.• Identifies and purchases necessary materials for lab coursework and operations.• Instructs, trains, and evaluates staff, graduate assistants, and student workers.Level Guidelines• Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals• Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude• Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action• Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices• Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff• May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)• May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist• Provides guidance to students

Appointment Type:Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period

Time Type:Full time

Pay Grade:PS808

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)• Life insurance and long-term disability• Flexible Spending Accounts• Various voluntary benefits and discounts• Employee Assistance Program• Wellbeing program

Original Posting Date: December 9, 2025

Posting Close Date:December 16, 2025

Job Requisition Number:R18233

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [email protected] or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.