Position Function:
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Mississippi State University seeks a full-time, twelve-month Program Manager. This staff position will report directly to the IDEELab Director and School Director and will serve as the primary coordinator, trainer, and technical lead for the IDEELab Advanced Maker Space. The successful candidate will oversee day-to-day operations of the lab, deliver hands-on training for students and industry partners, maintain equipment and safety protocols, supervise equipment inventory, and contribute to the department’s mission of workforce readiness, innovation, and experiential learning. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in managing or operating advanced manufacturing laboratories, including CNC machining, additive manufacturing, robotics, and digital fabrication equipment. A strong understanding of safety protocols, equipment maintenance, and inventory management is essential. Candidates should have the ability to deliver safety training, oversee technical certifications, and support project-based learning activities.
Salary Grade: 15
Please see Staff Compensation Structure for salary ranges.
Department Profile:
Mississippi State University is an R1 institution with very high research activity. The Michael W. Hall School of Mechanical Engineering is one of eight academic departments in the Bagley College of Engineering. The Mechanical Engineering School’s faculty research expenditure is approximately $15.2M annually for 20 tenure/tenure-track faculty. The Mechanical Engineering School offers an ABET-accredited undergraduate program in mechanical engineering, as well as graduate studies leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The Mechanical Engineering School has approximately 1,000 undergraduate and 100 graduate students and has the largest student enrollment within the Bagley College of Engineering and 2nd largest within Mississippi State University.
Area of Specialization:
Advanced Maker Space Management & Workforce Development
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Manage daily operations of the IDEELab Advanced Maker Space, ensuring equipment availability, functionality, and adherence to safety protocols.
• Develop and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety training modules, and compliance documentation.
• Coordinate preventative maintenance and repairs for CNC equipment, additive manufacturing systems, robotics, and related lab infrastructure.
• Deliver hands-on instruction in advanced manufacturing technologies, including machining, additive manufacturing, CAD/CAM, and digital manufacturing tools.
• Lead student safety certifications, technical workshops, and skills assessments to ensure readiness for independent project work.
• Support workforce development programs and DoD-sponsored training initiatives, including the America’s Cutting-Edge program and other technical upskilling opportunities.
• Supervise and mentor student teams, including FSAE, Baja SAE, and other student organizations, in the use of maker space equipment.
• Provide technical guidance on design, prototyping, fabrication, and troubleshooting of mechanical systems.
• Assist faculty and students with research-related projects requiring access to advanced manufacturing resources.
• Manage and maintain inventory for both the IDEELab and Mechanical Engineering Department (Carpenter, Edwards, and Patterson), including tracking consumables, performing periodic assessments, and ensuring cost-effective use of resources.
• Maintain accurate records of lab usage (All ME labs), equipment maintenance, and training certifications.
• Coordinate with faculty, staff, and industry partners to schedule training sessions, demonstrations, and external visits.
• Support departmental recruiting and outreach events, including tours, demonstrations, and K-12 STEM engagement.
• Identify opportunities to expand lab capability, improve workflows, and align training with industry needs.
• Contribute to departmental accreditation, assessment, and reporting activities related to instructional labs and the IDEELab.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the academic mission of the department and the Bagley College of Engineering.
Minimum Qualifications:
•Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering.
Preferred Qualifications:
•Industry certifications such as Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWP), OSHA 10/30, CNC machining, or additive manufacturing credentials.
•Demonstrated hands-on experience with mechanical systems, prototyping, fabrication, or manufacturing environments.
•Familiarity with industrial controls, instrumentation, and digital manufacturing technologies (e.g., IoT-enabled systems, CNC, PLCs).
•Proficiency in SolidWorks, with working knowledge of CAM tools such as MasterCAM, Fusion 360, or equivalent platforms.
•Experience implementing lean manufacturing principles, including Standard Work and 5S methodologies.
•Exposure to workforce readiness initiatives, experiential education models, or university-industry partnership programs.
•Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple instructional responsibilities and student support tasks.
•Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within a team environment.
•Willingness and aptitude to learn and work with a broad range of manufacturing, testing, and instructional technologies and software platforms.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
•Industry certifications such as Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWP), OSHA 10/30, CNC machining, or additive manufacturing credentials.
•Demonstrated hands-on experience with mechanical systems, prototyping, fabrication, or manufacturing environments.
•Familiarity with industrial controls, instrumentation, and digital manufacturing technologies (e.g., IoT-enabled systems, CNC, PLCs).
•Proficiency in SolidWorks, with working knowledge of CAM tools such as MasterCAM, Fusion 360, or equivalent platforms.
•Experience implementing lean manufacturing principles, including Standard Work and 5S methodologies.
•Exposure to workforce readiness initiatives, experiential education models, or university-industry partnership programs.
•Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple instructional responsibilities and student support tasks.
•Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within a team environment.
•Willingness and aptitude to learn and work with a broad range of manufacturing, testing, and instructional technologies and software platforms.
•Demonstrated ability to work safely with manufacturing equipment and enforce safety standards.
•Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to interact with students, faculty, and industry partners.
•Experience with project management and working in a fast-paced environment.
•Ability to configure software applications to meet specific needs and integrate software systems to enhance data transfer and extraction.
•Ability to integrate data from different sources to enable comprehensive analysis, and ability to create necessary forms to capture data from various stakeholders.
•Experience with maintaining data accuracy and generating data visualization.
•Knowledge and understanding of MSU policies and procedures, including knowledge of Concur and Banner systems, travel policies and procedures, and purchasing guidelines.
•Ability to excel in working with multiple cultures.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
•Ability to navigate uncommon manufacturing environments including but not limited to industrial system rooms.
•Comfort with high and low temperature environments. During all seasons, the team will operate in non-climate-controlled manufacturing facilities.
•Comfort with heights including taking data while on the roof on industrial facilities.
Instructions for Applying:
Applicants must apply online at www.msujobs.msstate.edu by submitting a cover letter and vitae.
Any social numbers included on requested transcripts should be redacted prior to submitting online.
Restricted Clause:
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
