Build Lab Technician

Job Posting Title:

Build Lab Technician ----

Hiring Department:

School of Architecture ----

Position Open To:

All Applicants ----

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40 ----

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt from FLSA ----

Earliest Start Date:

Immediately ----

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue ----

Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS ----

Job Details:

General Notes

The School of Architecture (SOA) at The University of Texas at Austin provides next-generation leadership for design and planning education. Cognizant of our role as stewards of the built environment, we meld principle and practice to foster innovation while remaining always grounded in service to our communities.

Spanning 6,600 square feet, SOA’s build lab is a multi-purpose making facility that features a wood shop, CNC routers, an area for casting concrete and plaster, plastics manipulation, cold metals, a spray booth, a patio accessible with a freight elevator, and an assembly/classroom area with worktables for hands-on learning. The lab serves SOA students and faculty across all degree programs and is staffed by a small team: the build lab manager, this build lab technician, and a rotating group of student technicians. Because the team is small, the build lab technician is expected to work independently on assigned areas while coordinating closely with the build lab manager on scheduling, training, safety enforcement, and equipment maintenance. The position works year-round, including summers, and also serves as a secondary support resource to the school’s facilities manager.

The University of Texas at Austin provides an outstanding benefits package to staff, including:

Competitive health benefits (Employee premiums covered at 100%; family premiums at 50%)

Vision, dental, life, and disability insurance options

Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays

Teachers Retirement System of Texas (a defined benefit retirement plan)

Additional voluntary retirement programs: tax sheltered annuity 403(b) and a deferred compensation program 457(b)

Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses

Training and conference opportunities

Tuition assistance

Athletic ticket discounts

Access to UT Austin’s libraries and museums

Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Capital Metro buses with staff ID card

For more details, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards

Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the build lab manager, the build lab technician assists SOA students and faculty in the design and fabrication of projects, prototypes, and objects using a variety of materials including wood, concrete, plaster, plastic, metal, and more. This position supports safe operations and maintenance of both traditional and computer-aided equipment within the build lab, monitors lab usage, maintains tools and supplies, and promotes safety protocols while developing hands-on expertise in fabrication techniques and shop management.

The build lab technician works closely with the build lab manager and student technicians, and the school’s facilities manager to keep the shop open, clean, stocked, and safe throughout the academic year and summer sessions. The position provides shop coverage, assists in the training and day-to-day direction of student technicians, and serves as a secondary support role for the facilities manager. Through these efforts the technician supports student learning, protects the safety of shop users, and sustains the reliability of the school’s fabrication resources.

Responsibilities:

BUILD LAB OPERATIONS, SAFETY & USER TRAINING

Assist in training faculty, staff, and students who use the build lab in the safe and proper operation of all tools and equipment, and maintain careful observation of activities to ensure these processes are followed.

Monitor shop activity during assigned shifts and enforce safety protocols, required personal protective equipment, and shop rules; stop unsafe work and escalate repeated or serious violations to the build lab manager.

Assist with safety orientations, tool certifications, and associated recordkeeping for shop users.

Perform regularly scheduled and periodic maintenance, upgrades, and repairs on build lab equipment as needed to ensure their correct and safe operation.

Perform setup, calibration, blade and bit changes, routine maintenance, and routine troubleshooting on traditional and computer-aided equipment, including CNC routers and related digital fabrication tools.

Maintain maintenance logs and report equipment failures, parts needs, and service requirements to the build lab manager.

Ensure the build lab is kept clean and safe, including housekeeping standards, dust and debris control, clear egress, waste and scrap disposal, and proper storage and labeling of materials and hazardous consumables.

Maintain and promote shop protocols, documentation, communication, and signage.

TECHNICAL & INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT

Provide technical support to instructors and students in the completion of their course assignments and act as a valuable resource in SOA fabrication classes.

Assist users in selecting appropriate materials, tools, techniques, and processes for wood, plastic, and casting work, and demonstrate fabrication methods at the bench and machine.

Support demonstrations, workshops, and in-shop instruction led by the build lab manager or faculty.

Research materials, processes, and equipment capabilities to support course projects.

LAB ADMINISTRATION & STUDENT TECHNICIAN SUPPORT

Coordinate with supervisor for procurement of supplies and stock as needed; monitor consumable inventory, track stock levels, receive deliveries, and maintain organized material and supply storage.

Coordinate the loan of hand tools and equipment to SOA faculty, staff, and students using WebCheckOut.

Maintain checkout records and conduct periodic tool inventory and condition checks.

• •Assist in managing student certifications and tool inventory.
• •Assist in managing the university’s card access control system for the build lab, including processing access requests for users who have completed required safety training and removing access when training lapses.

Assist the build lab manager in training and managing student technician shifts to ensure lab is open and available to students during open hours.

Provide on-shift direction and training to student technicians and cover open shifts when necessary to maintain consistent build lab hours.

FACILITIES SUPPORT

Serve as a secondary support role for the facilities manager as needed, assisting with facilities tasks across school-occupied spaces.

Assist with minor repairs, installations, furniture and equipment moves, deliveries, and space turnover.

Support setup and strike for exhibitions, reviews, lectures, and school events.

Report facilities issues, including building systems, utilities, ventilation, and life-safety concerns in shop spaces, to the facilities manager and the build lab manager.

Perform other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

At least two years of experience in fabrication or skilled construction and maintenance of equipment related to the position.

Proficiency in the use, operation, and maintenance of standard shop machine and measuring tools, common hand tools, and both analog and digital stationary fabrication equipment used in wood working and casting.

Demonstrated ability to teach and train others the knowledge and skills required to safely and effectively use tools, materials, and techniques common to woodworking.

Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment regarding shop safety, and take direction from a supervisor.

Strong ability to communicate information clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Exceptional attention to detail, resourcefulness, and problem-solv