Assistant Fabrication Manager
Position Details
Compensation: $50,000–$53,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Position Type/Schedule: Full-time, exempt. This position is fully on-site and is not eligible for remote work. The position primarily supports operations during evening and weekend hours.
Work Location: Illinois Tech, 10 West 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60616
Work Authorization: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Illinois Tech is unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment-based visa for this position.
Summary
The Assistant Fabrication Manager supports the operation of Illinois Tech’s School of Architecture 15,000+ square-foot Fabrication Center and reports to the Fabrication Center Manager. The position provides hands-on assistance and instruction to students, maintains fabrication equipment, supervises student employees, and helps ensure the safe and effective use of analog and digital fabrication resources.
Working closely with the Fabrication Center Manager, faculty, and administrators, the Assistant Fabrication Manager supports model making, fabrication, and construction activities and contributes to the continued integration of fabrication technologies within architecture and design education.
Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities
- Instruct and assist students in safe equipment operation and fabrication techniques involving wood, metal, plastic, CNC equipment, 3D printing, and related processes.
- Monitor Fabrication Center activities and ensure compliance with safety procedures and equipment-use requirements.
- Maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and service woodworking, metalworking, CNC, and other fabrication equipment.
- Supervise and provide direction to approximately 16 teaching assistants and student workers, primarily during evening and weekend hours.
- Support the sale and distribution of fabrication supplies for student projects.
- Collaborate with faculty, staff, and administrators to support Fabrication Center operations, instructional needs, and continued development of fabrication resources.
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships with students and colleagues and perform other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education, technical training, and relevant experience.
- Hands-on experience in a fabrication, workshop, maker-space, construction, manufacturing, technical, academic, or similar environment.
- Experience working with fabrication equipment and processes involving materials such as wood, metal, plastics, or comparable materials.
- Experience operating CNC or other computer-controlled fabrication equipment.
- Ability to safely operate, troubleshoot, and perform basic maintenance of fabrication or shop equipment.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, instructional, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to provide clear safety instruction and work effectively with students and other users in a shared fabrication environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in architecture, art, industrial design, engineering, construction, manufacturing, or a related environment.
- Experience with AutoCAD, Rhino, PrusaSlicer, RhinoCAM, or comparable design, 3D-printing, and CNC software.
- Experience repairing or servicing woodworking, metalworking, or related fabrication equipment.
- Experience supervising or training students, employees, or other shop users.
- Knowledge of architectural modeling and model-making techniques.
Service Standards and Performance Expectations
- Maintains a safe, organized, and effective fabrication environment.
- Provides clear and professional instruction and assistance to students.
- Maintains equipment in safe and reliable operating condition.
- Effectively supervises and supports teaching assistants and student workers.
- Collaborates professionally with students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
Supervision & Budget Authority
- Supervises a total of approximately sixteen (16) teaching assistants and student workers during assigned shifts.
- No direct budget authority.
Physical Qualifications
- Work is performed primarily in an active fabrication and workshop environment.
- Requires regular standing, walking, bending, reaching, and hands-on operation and maintenance of fabrication equipment.
- May require lifting, carrying, and moving tools, equipment, materials, and supplies.
- Requires the ability to work safely around fabrication machinery and use required personal protective equipment.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position, consistent with applicable law.
Required Application Materials
- Cover letter.
- CV or résumé.
- Portfolio in PDF format
Benefits
Illinois Tech offers eligible employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; life and long-term disability insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with university contributions and matching for eligible employees; tuition assistance programs; flexible spending and commuter benefits; an employee assistance program; university holidays; and applicable paid and job-protected leave benefits. Eligibility, waiting periods, employee contributions, and coverage levels vary by benefit and position. Additional information is available at https://www.iit.edu/hr/benefits.
EEO Statement
Illinois Institute of Technology is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, inclusion, and diversity. It is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and actively seeks applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities, regardless of race, color, sex, marital status, religion, national origin, disability, age, unfavorable discharge from the military, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, including gender identity and expression, order of protection status, and/or genetic information. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of education, technical training, and relevant experience.
- Hands-on experience in a fabrication, workshop, maker-space, construction, manufacturing, technical, academic, or similar environment.
- Experience working with fabrication equipment and processes involving materials such as wood, metal, plastics, or comparable materials.
- Experience operating CNC or other computer-controlled fabrication equipment.
- Ability to safely operate, troubleshoot, and perform basic maintenance of fabrication or shop equipment.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, instructional, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to provide clear safety instruction and work effectively with students and other users in a shared fabrication environment.
- Legally authorized to work in the United States; employer will not sponsor an employment-based visa.
What We Do
Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) is a private technology-focused university in Chicago that provides hands-on learning and diverse academic programs. Its mission is to help students from all backgrounds prepare for meaningful roles in a changing society. The institution combines education, discovery, creation, and problem-solving, with a particular emphasis on technology and career preparation through innovative, experiential opportunities.
