Experimental Machinist

The Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME) at the University of Southern California seeks an energetic and motivated individual to become the Experimental Machinist for all undergraduate laboratories in the Department. Under direction of the Instructional Laboratory Manager, this position will support all the daily departmental machining needs for all the AME undergraduate courses.

Current facilities include 2 instructional labs, 1 supply room and 1 machine shop. This space is in heavy rotation and use by undergraduate students in their third and fourth years, with multiple innovative and unique projects that range over a variety of fields and technologies.

The core job duties include: Set up, adjust and operate a variety of precision machine tools. Fabricate complex and/or one of a kind parts, tools, apparatus, models or machines for use in instructional and senior projects. Work from written specifications, drawings, rough sketches and verbal instructions. Plan layout and determine sequence of operations. Confer with instructional laboratory manager, faculty or students to analyze information such as design, capacity and purpose and types of materials to be used in fabrication. Operate with minimal supervision.

The successful applicant will be responsible for the following:

• Set up, adjust and operate a variety of shop machines and tools. Maintain and make minor repairs to such machines.
• Fabrication of complex parts, tools, mechanisms, models or machines for use in instructional and capstone projects.
• Confer with instructional laboratory manager, faculty or students to analyze information such as design, capacity and purpose and types of materials to be used in fabrication.
• Develop fabrication specifications from general descriptions and drawings.
• Determine sequence of manufacturing operations from written specifications, drawings , rough sketches and verbal instructions.
• Select stock and lay out design from dimensions computed from scaled drawings.
• Provide machine shop safety training to faculty and/or students.
• Provide technical assistance to faculty and/or students as requested

This is an on-site position.  The Instructional Lab Manager will be expected to work onsite 5 days per week.  The position is not eligible for remote work.

The hourly rate range for this position is $40.80 - $42.74. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope of responsibilities of the position the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Minimum Education: High School or equivalent, Specialized/Technical training

Minimum Experience: 3 years

Minimum filed of Expertise: Journeyman experience with advanced knowledge of shop mathematics, mechanics, properties of metals/plastics and machining procedures. Reads blueprints. Able to machine parts from verbal instructions using conventional machines and tools (e.g. lathes, milling machines, band saws, sanders, drill presses, grinders). Knowledge on how to operate CNC milling machines is a plus.

A complete application should include a cover letter and resume/CV uploaded to the completed online application. Failure to complete all the steps of our application process will negatively impact consideration of your candidacy.