Research Machinist and Instrument Maker

The College offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes possible work-from-home opportunities, automatic 10% retirement contribution to your retirement account upon eligibility (no match required), a 50% tuition benefit for dependent children upon eligibility, 14 paid holidays (including the week before New Year’s Day off), Health Savings Account contribution of $700 for individuals and$1400 for families (no match required), affordable medical plans, and a beautiful arboretum campus with walking trail and easy public transportation access. Please visit the Benefits page (https://www.haverford.edu/human-resources/benefits) for more information.

About the Position
The Research Machinist and Instrument Maker is responsible for the design/co-design, fabrication, assembly, improvement, and occasional repair of apparatus for the instructional and research programs of the Faculty across the Koshland Integrated Natural Sciences Center (KINSC). Particularly, this position supports faculty with experimental or observational labs which are found across the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy, Neuroscience, Psychology; and for teaching labs and demonstrations. This is a highly independent position.

Primary Responsibilities

• Confer with faculty members to identify needs for the construction or repair of laboratory apparatus and instruments, prepare preliminary working drawings, and advise on designs
• Create one-of-a-kind apparatus of all types from metals, plastics, composites, wood, glass, etc. Researches material properties, hardware usage, tool/equipment function, and fabrication techniques, to best fulfill the intended purpose of apparatus
• Assist in diagnosing problems having to do with laboratory apparatus
• Manage the Research Shop budget; allocate certain expenses to KINSC departments when appropriate; manage job requests, queues and associated website interface
• Maintain all Research Shop machinery, tools, and equipment

Line of Report: The Research Machinist and Instrument Maker reports to the Director of the KINSC.

Minimum Qualifications

• Five years of experience as a tool and die maker, instrument maker, or equivalent

Professional Competencies

• Effective oral and written communication skills; ability to discuss designs fluently with faculty members and students
• Comfortable working independently
• Ability to conceive of suitable designs in response to stated needs, perform relevant calculations (English and metric) and produce drawings when necessary, and modify and adapt existing apparatus to new requirements
• Experience machining aluminum, brass, copper, steel, stainless steel, titanium; and plastics such as acrylic, Lexan, Teflon, Nylon, Delrin, and PVC; experience working with composite materials such as fiber-reinforced polymers or laminates
• Ability to cut glass sheet and tubes
• Fully knowledgeable in the operation of lathes, milling machines, drill presses, vertical and horizontal band saw(s), jigsaw, table saw, radial armsaw, sheet metal equipment, wood working equipment, grinders, sanders, sandblast unit, and all manner of manual and electric hand tools
• Working knowledge of CNC techniques
• Ability to maintain typical machine shop equipment
• Basic knowledge of a-rings and their properties; skilled in machining glands used in static, dynamic, and vacuum applications
• Ability to solder, braze, and spot weld; working knowledge of stick and TIG welding procedures
• Ability to properly select and work with an array of adhesives, sealants, lubricants, and solvents
• Working knowledge of safety requirements when working with these materials
• Experience in selecting and employing sundry hardware items such as fasteners, springs, hinges, connectors, and supports

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree in a trades area related to the work to be performed, or an equivalent combination of related technical training and experience
• Knowledge of CAD, CAM, and 3D printing may be helpful

To Apply: Interested applicants are invited to submit an application, to include a cover letter and resume by visiting https://haverford.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job/Haverford-Campus/Research-Machinist-and-Instrument-Maker_R647. The application deadline is April 14, 2025. Application review will begin after the deadline has passed. Please email recruiting@haverford.edu with questions about submitting your materials. Should the search committee be interested in pursuing your candidacy, you will hear from them directly. Finalists will be asked to provide three professional references.

Haverford College is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, and providing equal opportunities and access to all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status. Women, non-binary and transgender individuals, people of color, Indigenous people, and those with other or multiple historically marginalized and/or underrepresented identities are especially encouraged to apply.

We at Haverford College recognize that we live and work on Lenape land and pay respect and honor to the caretakers of this land, from the time of its first human inhabitants until now, and into the future. We seek to maintain and build upon our current and ever-evolving connections with members of Lenape tribes and communities, in recognition of our intertwined histories and with a goal of moving toward right relationship between the Haverford of today and Lenape peoples.