Welding and Research Instrumentation Specialist - Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Welding and Research Instrumentation Specialist.

About the Opportunity

This is a skilled technical position in an advanced precision scientific machine shop and wood shop. The shop's primary mission is to design, construct, assemble and operate scientific instrumentation and apparatus used in research and instructional laboratories for the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. Examples of tasks include interpreting technical drawings, precision machining using various mills and lathes, advanced welding, maintenance of liquid nitrogen fill stations as well as exercising a knowledge of a wide variety of metals and other materials. Maintaining and caring for shop equipment, purchasing and inventory control of tools and materials is also part of this position

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 15 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

Machining

• Fabrication of precision components, both small and large scale from a variety of raw materials using horizontal and vertical milling machines (computer numerically controlled), lathes, drill presses, precision saws, etc.
• Modification and assembly of existing precision components to form operational scientific instruments and systems. Requires an understanding of the basic physical properties of a large variety of advanced materials including their mechanical strength, thermal and electrical characteristics.
• Shearing, bending, rolling/forming various types of sheet metal. Cutting, notching bending and forming of angle iron.
• Machine components to extremely close tolerances and use a computer to create files for the computer numerically controlled mill.
• Produce, modify and archive technical drawings associated with shop projects. Nearly all jobs are one-of-a-kind and considerable machining skill is needed to interpret customer drawings and fabrication needs. Advice in design of scientific apparatus for use by students and faculty.

Welding

• Heliarc (TIG) welding of stainless steel, copper, aluminum, as well as various types of exotic steels, and other metals and alloys. Also, gas welding (acetylene-oxygen), electric welding (stick), GMAW MIG welding, spot welding (machine), soldering, sand blasting, and plasma arc cutting.
• TIG welding to include vacuum chambers and non-magnetic structures.
• MIG welding for fabricating structures.
• Spot welding for repairing scientific instruments.

Training, Maintenance and Safety

• Provides training and instruction to faculty, postdoctoral fellows, undergraduate students, and graduate students in the proper use of mills, lathes, drill presses, band saws and other shop tools. Responsible for training, assigning duties, reviewing work, and evaluating performance of hourly and work student students.
• Maintains shop equipment in working order for advanced service. Maintains and cleans shop equipment and work areas. Provides repair service and maintenance on scientific instruments and apparatus located in research laboratories and classrooms.
• Responsible for ensuring shop equipment is properly used, serviced and repaired. Keeps self and others working in the shop are aware of new materials, machines, tools and techniques as they become available.
• Responsible for adhering to the shop specific chemical hygiene plan, procedures and training.
• Assist in the inventory of chemicals, disposal, distribution and waste collection to EHS regulations.
• Assist in the purchasing of new equipment, tools, parts and supplies and assures supplies are stocked and common repair parts are available.
• Assist in the purchase, control, movement and dispensing of gases and cryogenic fluids.
• Operate and repair basic vacuum systems.

Design

• The incumbent is responsible for the design of a large array of scientific instrumentation for scientific research and instructional purposes.

  Design requests from faculty, postdoctoral research assistants, and graduate students are conveyed to the incumbent in a very rudimentary manner (oral instructions or sketches). The incumbent must recommend materials, provide faculty with design options to suit the described function, prepare project budgets based on design options, and provide drawings and specifications. Requires work in CAD/CAM programs.

• Advise the faculty on the construction, operation, repair and purchase of various instruments and supplies.

Carpentry

• Fabrication of large- and small-scale components and finished products, such as, equipment support structures, mounting devices, specialty furniture, etc. from a variety of raw materials using band saws, joiners, wood lathes, radial arm saws, table saws, routers, etc., using verbal and written requests (from often not to scale drawings or from descriptions of function).
• Modification and assembly of existing equipment to supplement or enhance the operation of scientific instruments and systems, requiring the basic physical properties and characteristics of a large variety of materials such as woods, synthetic materials, laminates and Plexiglas.
• Repair handles, hasps, drawers, door, etc. in research and teaching laboratories.

Other

• Other duties as assigned include assisting in delivery of items and moving items after delivery, on occasion, under limited circumstances.
• Assist in servicing compressors that are used for research.

Pay Grade: 17

• Associate degree in industrial design or related field.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience involving:
  • Machining
  • Woodworking
  • Tig Welding
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to safely perform a variety of precision tasks using milling machines, lathes, welding equipment, saws, grinders, hand tools, welding (steel and aluminum) etc. and the operation of a plasma torch.
• Demonstrated ability to make precision measurements using instruments such as micrometers, Vernier calipers and scales and program and operate
• Computer Numerical Control Mill as well as older model precision machines.
• Demonstrated ability to perform mathematical calculations when designing individual jobs.
• Knowledge of and ability to learn to interpret technical drawings.
• Knowledge of and ability to operate a desktop computer and use computer aided design (CAD/CAM) software.
• Demonstrated ability to operate and repair basic vacuum systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the physical properties of a wide variety of metals, plastics, wood, etc. and must be able to machine them safely.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to set priorities and multitask and work independently.
• Demonstrated knowledge of super-conducting magnets and the materials to use and not use for safety of personnel and magnets

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification in welding, design, mechanical systems or machining.

Physical Demands and Physical Coordination

• Must be able to lift, push, or pull 75 pounds
• Must be able to operate milling machines, lathes, welding equipment, saws, grinders, and hand tools
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.