The Department of Physics at the University of Virginia seeks applications for the position of Laboratory Instrument Maker - Machinist.

Laboratory Instrument Making Machinists are tasked with fabricating research grade equipment using tools such as computer controlled milling machines and lathes.  The fabrication of research grade equipment often requires significant ingenuity and development of new techniques.  Laboratory Instrument Making Machinists set up and operate various machinery, as well as fit and assemble parts to make or repair metal instruments, mechanisms, tools, or machines on complex projects.  Work done in the shop must meet exceptionally high standards of quality and precision since the success of research projects depend critically on well-built instruments.

The machine shop equipment suite includes CNC and manual mills and lathes, numerous drill presses, grinders, and shapers, as well as a welding shop including TIG, MIG, and laser welders.  The 3,900 sq. ft. Physics Machine Shop includes a “Student” or “User” shop available to Physics and Chemistry researchers and graduate students (who have passed a required safety and training course).

For more information about our program, please visit http://www.phys.virginia.edu.

Responsibilities:

Fabricate, construct, and/or design instruments using advanced machining for research and teaching instrument construction.  The instruments must meet exceptionally high standards of quality and precision since the success of the project depends critically on well-built instruments.Normal technical decisions about instrument fabrication are made without supervisory advice.  Fabrication of some instruments requires the input of the supervisor and the other machinists.  When this scenario arises, they meet as a team to come up with a plan of how to proceed in building the equipment.Assist customers with equipment design.Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG), Metal Inert Gas (MIG), and gas welding, soldering and brazing.  High vacuum welding techniques regularly needed.Perform preventative maintenance on Computer Numerical Control (CNC) mills, lathes, and other shop equipment.On site equipment installation or maintenance.Serve as primary for developing, coordinating and teaching the Student Shop to ensure safe and effective operation of equipment.In addition to these duties, other duties may be assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Machinist Associate’s Degree or equivalent preferredLicensure: Journey level machinist license or equivalent (Tool and Die Maker, or R&D Machinist strongly preferred)Experience: At least 7 years of experience in similar shop (e.g., “model shop” or similar position in academia or industry) is required

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated mastery of machine tool practices and safety.Ability to work from sketches/blueprints and verbal instruction; and understand the fundamentals of instrument design.Demonstrated ability to operate machines and tools such as Computer Numerical Control (CNC) mills and lathes to close tolerance.Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) and Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding expertise.SolidWorks Software experience is strongly preferred.Experience with hand-held laser welding is strongly preferred.Tool and Die Maker, Model Maker, or Research and Development (R&D) Machinist strongly preferred.

Physical Demands: 

This position requires the incumbent to remain in a standing position for most of the time while working on complex machinery.  This requires the use of repetitive motion, use of both hands, use of either hand independently, fine finger manipulation, and wrist movement as well as bending, stooping, and standing.

This position is located in Charlottesville, VA and is not eligible for remote work.

Anticipated Hiring Range: $31-$36/hour commensurate with education and experience.  This is a non-exempt level, benefited position.

For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit hr.virginia.edu/benefits.

This position will remain open until filled. 

This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas.  The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

For additional information about the position, please contact the Machine Shop Foreman, Todd Day, at vns9fm@virginia.edu.

To Apply: 

https://jobs.virginia.edu/us 

Please apply through Workday, and search for R0069859. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching ‘Find Jobs.’ Complete an application online with the following documents: 

CVCover letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field.  Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission.  Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.

References will be completed via UVA’s standardized process Skill Survey.  A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process.

For questions about the application process, please contact Rich Haverstrom, Academic Recruiter at rkh6j@virginia.edu.

For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com/.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.  We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences.  We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.