Laboratory Manager, MakerLAB, Cornell Tech (NYC)

About MakerLAB

The MakerLAB at Cornell Tech is a highly visible prototyping facility and makerspace. Following its 2025 expansion to a new 2700 sq ft facility; the lab has doubled its equipment and operational capacity.

Job Summary

The Laboratory Manager leads the technical operations of MakerLAB, a 2700 sq ft academic makerspace supporting graduate level fabrication, prototyping, and research. The Manager ensures safe, reliable, and efficient operation of all equipment including desktop digital fabrication tools and advanced CNC milling systems.

This role is responsible for the day-to-day technical management of the facility, including maintenance, troubleshooting, workflow oversight, and direct project support for students. The Laboratory Manager serves as the primary steward of equipment performance, safety compliance, and operational continuity.

The Laboratory Manager reports to the Director of the MakerLAB, and will manage day-to-day scheduling for technical support staff and student volunteers. The Laboratory Manager will ensure compliance with all workplace and environmental safety standards, oversee a significant range of advanced equipment (e.g., 3D printers, CNC, laser cutters), and assist the MakerLAB Director in driving the continued growth and innovation of the MakerLAB.

Successful candidates will need to have and display the following competencies as part of this role: 

• Technical Operations Excellence: Maintains high performance of complex fabrication systems through proactive maintenance, troubleshooting, and workflow optimization. 

• Safety and Risk Management: Ensures rigorous compliance with safety standards while fostering a culture of responsible making and shared accountability.

• Collaborative Problem Solving: Partners with students, researchers, and staff to translate ideas into feasible fabrication strategies and prototypes.

• Operational Leadership and Coordination: Manages schedules, staff, and workflows to ensure efficient day-to-day operations and high-quality user support.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position. This is a onsite position with onsite location at the Cornell Tech campus in New York City.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Starting salary range: $ 75,700-$87,950

Essential Functions Include

Technical Operations & Equipment Management - 45%

• Oversee the operations of all technical equipment, including advanced machinery, in the MakerLab
• Oversee all fabrication equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC mills, electronics stations, and material processing tools
• Design and deliver onboarding training modules that certify students for safe equipment use and provide ongoing project consultation hours throughout the academic year.
• Develop and maintain preventative maintenance schedules
• Perform and coordinate repairs and vendor service calls
• Troubleshoot machine and workflow issues and follow through until resolution
• Maintain calibration, documentation, and equipment logs
• Ensure readiness of machines for teaching and project use

Safety and Compliance - 45%

• Implement and monitor safety protocols
• Maintain training systems and certification records
• Ensure compliance with university safety and environmental standards
• Maintain a culture of responsible tool use

Other position-related responsibilities - 10%

• Onboard and supervise SuperMakers (student volunteers)
• Participate in projects or other duties as assigned with occasional work responsibility falling above or below current classification. 
• Completion of any university required compliance trainings. 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, design, or a related field, and at least 3 years of hands-on experience in fabrication, manufacturing, or technical lab management, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven track record of operational ownership, including equipment lifecycle management, calibration protocols, preventative maintenance systems, and repair coordination.
• Digital Fabrication Mastery: Advanced proficiency in modern digital workflows. Expertise is required in 3D printing (SLA + FDM), laser cutting, physical computing (soldering, microcontrollers)
• CNC Milling Expertise: Comprehensive working knowledge of CNC milling (ShopBot Desktop MAX, Bantam Tools Desktop CNC).
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members. 
• Familiarity with lab safety protocols and waste disposal regulations; track record of implementing and monitoring effective safety policies.

Preferred Qualifications

•  Specify preferred qualifications.  

Culture of Inclusion and Community Standards

As a university founded to be a place where “…any person can find instruction in any study,” diversity and inclusion are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all.  Cornell Core values 

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.    

While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Success are foundational to what is expected of every employee and leader working at Cornell.  These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Staff Skills for Success; Leadership Skills for Success

Rewards And Benefits

Competitive compensation, generous time-off, and great benefits …More on Cornell Benefits

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