Unleash your passion for innovation and empower a community of creators! The Ball State University Fabrication Lab - powered by the Digital Corps and the College of Architecture and Fine Arts - seeks a visionary Operations Manager to lead our state-of-the-art facility. Oversee cutting-edge equipment, train a dynamic student team, and cultivate a collaborative environment for students, faculty, and staff across campus. Part teacher, part mentor, part techie... this position requires face-to-face work with undergraduate students and hands-on work with all aspects of digital fabrication across campus. Take advantage of this opportunity to make an impact and foster a culture of creativity and turning ideas into reality!

At Ball State University, inclusiveness is one of the enduring values and informs all of our work. We define 'inclusiveness' as a commitment 'to respect and embrace equity, inclusion, and diversity in people, ideas, and opinions.' As such, this value incorporates a commitment to inclusive excellence and freedom of expression.

Ball State University offers an excellent benefits package for eligible positions. Click to explore options.

The Fabrication Lab Operations Manager for the Digital Corps will oversee the day-to-day activities of our expansive, campus-wide digital fabrication facility, part of a network of existing fab labs across campus. Operated by Ball State Information Technology with key support from the Colleges of Architecture and Planning and Fine Art, the Ball State Fabrication Lab is a resource for all students, faculty, and staff across campus utilizing 3D Printers, Laser Cutters, CNC machines, and more. This position will provide universal support to keep the lab open, operational, and available to the campus community, including walk-in hours, reservations, maintenance and upkeep, training, curricular integration, and collaborations with on- and off-campus partners. The Ball State Fabrication Lab welcomes every student regardless of major or area of study.

Bachelor's degree in design, arts, engineering, computer science, or a related field from an accredited college or university by date of appointment. Or, in lieu of a Bachelor's degree: Associate degree plus an additional combination of education or experience in digital fabrication equivalent to two years, or high school diploma or GED plus an additional combination of education or experience in digital fabrication to four years.

Experience working in a fabrication lab or machine shop setting.

Experience supervising staff or students, including hiring and training. Experience using and maintaining 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC machines.

Excellent communication and collaboration skills. Experience teaching other how to use digital fabrication tools.

Student employees as assigned.

Ball State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its community. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.

Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana, on an attractive campus 45 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Approximately 20,000 graduate and undergraduate students enroll in one of eight academic colleges that offer 270+ undergraduate and graduate programs. Many of our master's, doctoral, certificate, and specialist degrees rank among the best in the nation. We engage students in educational, research, and creative endeavors that empower our graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives enriched by lifelong learning and service, while we enhance the economic, environmental, and social vitality of our community, our state, and our world.

The minimum salary for this position is $53,000.

Oversee day-to-day operations, including walk-in hours and structured reservations (utilizing an established reservation system), catering to the needs of students, faculty, and staff. Ensure the Ball State Fabrication Lab is open and operating during all scheduled hours.

Oversee a team of undergraduate lab attendants, including hiring new employees, creating an onboarding training program, assigning and reviewing work, evaluating students for promotion, facilitating collaboration and additional opportunities in fab labs across campus, and other day-to-day management tasks.

Implement and manage effective reservation systems for general lab use and specialized equipment, optimizing resource allocation.

Maintain a current knowledge of fabrication equipment, technologies, trends, and 3D printing software. Make recommendations for lab equipment purchases based on industry standards and best practices.

Engage in a spirit of proactive collaboration across campus with other fabrication labs, in the community, among campus colleagues, and the wider network of digital fabrication enthusiasts. Promote the Ball State Fabrication Lab across campus.

Collaborate with fabrication facilities in the College of Architecture and Planning to develop and implement training resources, coordinate tool use and repair through the network of campus fabrication labs, and serve as a repair hub to service labs across campus.

Maintain safety and functionality of all lab equipment through routine maintenance and necessary repairs, including the establishment of a weekly assessment/cleaning of all equipment.

Support the curricular use of the space, including designing and delivering comprehensive training modules for students and staff, focusing on skill development and adherence to safety protocols.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

For nominations and questions regarding this opportunity, please contact Tiffany Turner, Assistant Director of Talent Acquisition, at tiffany.turner@bsu.edu.

In support of your application for this position, please prepare and submit a cover letter that describes how your qualifications and experiences align with the elements of the position description (or leadership profile). In your cover letter, please also describe how you have demonstrated a commitment to our University's , including inclusiveness, which we define as a commitment 'to respect and embrace equity, inclusion, and diversity in people, ideas, and opinions.'