Machinist

Machinist Special Information

• This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.
• Driving a vehicle on behalf of the university is anticipated to be a regular part of this position. Arizona Administrative Code Fleet Safety Policy requires all employees who drive on university business become authorized by submitting Driver's license information for driving record monitoring, and completion of training appropriate to the level of driving performed. The law applies to all faculty, staff, and students who drive personal or university-owned motorized vehicles for any business purpose.
  
  More information on the NAU Authorized Driver Policy can be found on the NAU website.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) is known for its student-centered approach and strong emphasis on hands-on learning and research. It offers a full suite of degree programs—bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D.—and is housed in the Steve Sanghi College of Engineering. The department fosters close faculty-student interaction, with a focus on mentoring and collaborative research. Faculty and students engage in cutting-edge work in areas such as solid mechanics, thermal‑fluids, energy systems, intelligent systems, robotics, and bioengineering.

The undergraduate Mechanical Engineering degree program is ABET‑accredited, ensuring a rigorous and industry‑aligned curriculum. The Department currently has over 650 students and 17 faculty, and blends academic rigor with a strong sense of community and purpose.

The Machine Shop and IDEA Lab are the two fabrication facilities that mechanical engineering majors use for prototyping a wide range of devices/systems they design throughout the ME curriculum. The Machine Shop, focused on subtractive manufacturing, is equipped with manual and CNC mills, manual and CNC lathes, a surface grinder, bandsaws, shop grinders/polishers, as well as a welding station. The IDEA lab, focused mainly on additive manufacturing, is equipped with several polymer 3D printers and a metal powder 3D printer.

All pieces of equipment available in both facilities are regularly used by students for class projects.

The Mechanical Engineering Department at Northern Arizona University aims to hire a machinist who will be responsible for setting up, operating, and maintaining a variety of machine tools—including lathes, milling machines, drill presses, and CNC equipment—to fabricate precision metal parts, instruments, and tools. This position requires reading and interpreting blueprints, sketches, and CAD files to determine specifications, planning the sequence of operations, and ensuring parts meet exacting tolerances and quality standards.

A successful candidate will demonstrate strong mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, proficiency in interpreting technical drawings, and familiarity with both manual and CNC machining operations. Effective communication skills and a commitment to safety protocols are essential in this educational environment.

• Manufacturing Projects for Capstone Teams and Faculty (60%)
  • Machine one‑off prototypes and low‑volume parts on manual mills/lathes and on CNC equipment (mills, lathes, EDM, plasma cutter).
  • Weld project components using GMAW, SMAW, and GTAW processes; perform basic oxy/propane cutting or heating operations.
  • Interpret and verify engineering drawings, blueprints, and CAD models; suggest material choices, tolerances, and machining or welding strategies.
  • Collaborate with student teams to review designs for manufacturability; recommend modifications during early test iterations.
  • Maintain detailed job logs, inspection reports, and fabrication notes to support continuous improvement and repeatability.
  • Assist faculty with fabrication of classroom demonstrations, test rigs, and research hardware.
• Machine Maintenance (25%)
  • Set up, calibrate, and perform preventive maintenance on all Machine Shop equipment (manual, CNC, welding, EDM, and plasma systems).
  • Monitor tooling condition; select,…