INSTRUMENT MAKER, SENIOR

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

About Us

The Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University is one of the fastest rising, highly ranked engineering schools in the nation. The school consists of four departments with more than 130 tenure-track faculty members, 370 staff members, 100 postdocs, 1250 undergraduate students, 1400 master’s students, and 600 PhD students. Housed within a university renowned for its programs in the liberal arts, medicine, business and law, Pratt prepares future engineering leaders to address complex challenges with solutions that take into account the complexities and nuances of implementing them. Pratt takes a whole-student approach to education, ensuring students are well supported throughout their journeys and graduate with the grit and determination required to persevere in their careers and their lives. Pratt is dedicated to the values of diversity, equitability, inclusivity, and community in its pursuit of knowledge and service to society.
The Pratt School of Engineering’s Student Shop is committed to safety, education and teamwork. Our mission and vision are to help each student increase their knowledge in all aspects of the Student Shop. We teach you how to machine, not what to machine. 

Occupational Summary

Assist Pratt students in the fabrication of a variety of different projects, either assigned by professors for a grade, in support of research, or assigned by one of the various student groups. Supervise the students in the safe use of Student Shop tools, hand tools, and other various pieces of equipment. May have to interact with professors about projects.

Job Hours:
12:00 PM to 8:00 PM Tuesday-Friday.
8 hours on Saturday; schedule based on student needs. (Ten-person max allowed at one time in the Student Shop on Saturdays).
Days off will be Sunday and Monday.

Work Performed
Assist engineering students in their design as well as the machining process of their project parts to fine tolerances. Be able to instruct and demonstrate various Student Shop equipment to include precision CNC lathes, CNC milling machines, drill presses, and woodworking equipment. Work under general supervision using considerable knowledge of shop mathematics and techniques applicable to help with the student’s design and manufacturing of their project parts or lab experimental instruments. Ability to determine the correct method of fabrication and correct materials used based on knowledge of materials, tolerances, stresses, and machine/tool limitations.

Job Duties
•    Instruct Students on the safe usage of both Manual and CNC lathes, CNC Milling Machines, Saws (Hand and Powered) Plasma Cutters, EDM and Laser Cutters.
•    Assist students in setting their projects up on machines, or answering questions about their projects, such as what type of material to use, questions about Fasteners, Drill Bit Sizes, Cutter Sizes, Speeds and Feeds, Set Up Questions, ECT.
•    Assist in administering Safety Training to students.
•    Perform maintenance on machines and equipment as required/requested.
•    Assist the Student Shop manager and assistant manager in the installation, maintenance, and repair of shop equipment as well as keeping an inventory log on needed tooling and shop supplies.
•    Interact with professors and assist them with questions about their student’s projects and use of shop equipment.
•    Instruct students in the use of CNC Control, either by Cam software or the use of the onboard CNC software at the machine also be able to demonstrate using the various software exported “G”-code files on the Student Shop’s CNC machines.
•    Assist in continuous cleanup/improvement of student Shop rooms, machines and tooling.
•    Assisting in other emergency jobs that may be requested for the shop to complete.
•    Establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, students, and staff.
•    Ability to work independently with students and cooperatively as a member of the Student Shop team.
•    Provide Student Shop coverage during the weekday evenings and Saturday hours when other staff are not available.
•    Ability to learn new and emerging methods and skill sets.
•    Learn and apply Student Shop policies and practices related to access and use of the Student Shop
•    Ability to perform minor troubleshooting on technology devices and computer software.
•    Ability to lift, transport, sort, and shelve materials/supplies used in the Student Shop.
•    Fabricates, assists in the design, modification, and repair of mechanical instruments or mechanical assemblies of electrical components.
•    Assist students in manufacturing a wide variety of scientific apparatus’ using Computer Numerical Control (CNC) systems/equipment, and conventional machine shop equipment. Coordinates with faculty members, engineer students, and graduate students on research requirements and advises on feasibility of construction.
•    Directs students in how to adapt or modify their sketches and blueprints so they can manufacture them in the Student Shop.
•    Repair and test equipment shop equipment.
•    Teach students the proper welding technics for the different types of metals used in their project work.

Qualifications

Education/Training
•    Work requires a general background in machine shop equipment operation and metal or plastic work generally acquired through a technical or vocational high school education. Associate degree in Machining and/or Tool and Die preferred. Certified in welding preferred and if not certified will be required to attend welding classes to attain a welding certification.

Experience
Work requires three years as an Instrument Maker or progressive journey level experience in instrument making or seven years experience in the design and machining of precision parts for specialized equipment used in scientific research or clinical applications. Minimum 5 years’ shop experience preferred.
Teaching/training experience on proper use of equipment and machines in a machine shop setting. Working familiarity with both Windows computer workstations and relevant research and media software. Solid modeling experience. CNC Programming experience. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

Preferred Qualifications
•    Ability to manage tasks in response to the shifting priorities and changing time constraints of student projects to maximize the efficiency of the Student Shop.
•    Must be able to work with and direct students from Cad drawings, rough drawings, or hand sketches.
•    Ability to work with Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Plastics, Mild Steel and different types of Wood

Preferred Skills
•    Knowledge of and skill in using Cad/Cam Systems and the ability to read “G”code.
•    Knowledge of different ways to set up a variety of parts on mills and Lathes.
•    State accredited 4-year apprenticeship in Tool and Die making.
•    Excellent skills in both verbal and written communication.
•    Demonstrate skills in basic problem-solving.

Work requires a general background in machine shop equipment operation and metal or plastic work generally acquired through a technical or vocational high school education.

Work requires three years as an Instrument Maker or progressive OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE. journey level experience in instrument making or seven years experience in design and machining of precision parts for specialized equipment used in scientific research or clinical applications.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.