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Job Summary/Basic Function:
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Serve as a senior leader within a student-centric outreach service providing direct support to clients in Idaho and regional product manufacturers to improve profits, products, and services and Research Faculty at Boise State University to support laboratory and facility projects including engineering design. This position establishes and maintains strategic relationships with manufacturers, internal stakeholders, university researchers, and external resource partners; leads project scoping and delivery for complex client engagements; and develops and implements high-impact solutions that improve manufacturing competitiveness, innovation, and operational performance.
This role leads product design and prototyping, manufacturing scale-up and operational improvement initiatives, and/or got-to-market commercialization support. The position provides leadership and mentoring to student employees and professional staff while contributing to experiential learning through project-based delivery.
This position is responsible for delivering measurable impact for manufacturers while strengthening studio services, developing talent, and expanding partnerships across the manufacturing ecosystem.
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Department Overview:
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TechHelp is Idaho’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) center, helping manufacturers and businesses grow, innovate, and stay competitive. Through expert consulting, technical assistance, and workforce development, TechHelp supports companies in improving performance, expanding opportunities, and strengthening Idaho’s economy. Backed by NIST, the organization delivers measurable impact in job creation, cost savings, and business growth across the state.
This is position that may require meeting with clients by phone, online, or in person. This role may require travel to meet clients in person at their locations.
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Level Scope:
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Recognized subject matter expert who knows how to apply theory and put it into practice with in-depth understanding of the professional field with limited oversight from managers. Independently performs the full range of responsibilities within the function; requires deep job knowledge of area typically obtained through higher education combined with experience. Manages large projects or processes and problems faced are difficult and often complex; analyzes problems/issues of diverse scope and determines solutions. May manage programs that include formulating strategies and administering policies, processes, and resources; functions with a high degree of autonomy. Influences others regarding policies, practices and procedures.
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Essential Functions:
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40% of Time – Client Engagement & Project Leadership
● Build and maintain relationships with product manufacturers and identify strategic opportunities for services that improve products, processes, and market success.
● Lead and conduct company needs assessments, analyzing business performance and identifying improvement opportunities tied to the assigned service areas.
● Develop scopes of work, proposals and project plans aligned with client needs and lab capabilities.
● Lead or oversee project delivery in the assigned service area(s), including design/prototyping activities, manufacturing improvement initiatives, and commercialization strategies.
● Provide consistent communication with clients and internal stakeholders regarding project milestones, risks, deliverables, and results.
● Manage client service delivery within TechHelp, ensuring high-quality engagement, responsiveness, and alignment with program goals and client expectations.
● Manage and support students operating advanced manufacturing equipment, including a 3D metal printer, ensuring safe operation, proper training, and successful execution of project objectives.
55% of Time – Team Leadership, Partner Coordination, and Continuous Improvement
● Supervise part-time undergraduate and graduate students performing engineering design and fabrication tasks; provide leadership and mentorship to student employees and professional staff assigned to projects.
● Coordinate with university researchers, laboratories, and external resource partners to align expertise, deliverables, and project timelines.
● Contribute to tracking and reporting program metrics, including contacts, projects, outcomes, impacts, and student experiential learning results.
● Support and ensure timely and accurate submission of NIST MEP survey data, including documentation of client engagements and project outcomes.
● Assist clients in identifying, capturing, and realizing the impacts of manufacturing projects, including cost savings, increased sales, and job creation/retention.
● Create and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety processes for activities associated with Engineering Support and NPD.
● Manage and document student employee training on applicable SOPs and safety processes.
● Organize and supervise preventative maintenance activities associated with NPD operations.
● Represent the organization in outreach events, industry meetings, and ecosystem initiatives.
● Demonstrate continuous learning; stay current on tools, methods, and best practices relevant to the assigned service area(s).
5% of Time – Perform other duties as assigned
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Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
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● Consultative delivery: strong interpersonal skills, negotiation, stakeholder management, and the ability to advise senior leaders and business owners.
● Communication: strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to present and facilitate discussions with manufacturers, students, researchers, and university stakeholders.
● Analytical and problem-solving: ability to analyze operational, market, and organizational challenges and translate them into actionable solutions and project plans.
● Project and program leadership: ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, coordinate deliverables, manage risk, and ensure successful client outcomes.
● Collaboration: ability to work effectively with faculty, researchers, cross-functional partners, and external resource partners
● Business and/or technical acumen (role-dependent): familiarity with product development lifecycles (design → prototype → test), manufacturing scale-up and operational improvement concepts, and/or go-to-market fundamentals (customer discovery, channel strategy, positioning, commercialization planning).
● People leadership: ability to mentor staff and manage student employees, establish expectations, review work quality, and support professional development.
● Strategic thinking: ability to synthesize customer, operational, and market insights into strategic recommendations that improve business performance and innovation outcomes.
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Minimum Qualifications:
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● Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent plus 5 years of experience
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Preferred Qualifications:
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● Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering
● Master’s degree or equivalent in business, social sciences, engineering, or related field.
● Experience as a professional consultant.
● At least 2 years of leadership experience; which may include people leadership, program leadership, or team lead responsibility
● Demonstrated experience leading complex client-facing projects such as consulting, product development, prototyping, commercialization, marketing, market research, business development, manufacturing operations, and/or process improvement
● Experience working with manufacturers and/or in a manufacturing environment (e.g., food processing, aerospace, electronics, metal fabrication, wood products)
● Experience leading product design or prototyping efforts (e.g., CAD workflows, requirements translation, prototyping strategies, iterative testing, design validation)
● Experience growing entrepreneurial or innovation-focused organizations, including generating funding or building revenue-generating services.
● Demonstrated interest in workforce development, experiential learning, or mentoring students and early career professionals.
● Experience managing partnerships with public and private organizations serving manufacturing customers.
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Salary and Benefits:
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Salary range is $73,548.80 to $90,000 annually and is commensurate with experience. Boise State University provides a best-in-class benefits package, including (but not limited to):
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Required Application Materials:
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Resume and Cover Letter
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About Us:
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Nestled along the Boise River and steps from the state capitol, Boise State University fosters a vibrant and welcoming academic environment that fuels student and employee success. We’re a trailblazing institution, nationally recognized for our innovative spirit and commitment to positive impact on Idaho and beyond.
Boise State is proud to be recognized by Forbes as the only Idaho employer listed in the top 100 of all national midsize and large employers. We’re building a thriving community of faculty and staff whose unique skills, experiences, and perspectives come together to create a rich and rewarding academic experience. Applications from all backgrounds are welcomed.
Learn more about Boise State and living in Idaho’s Treasure Valley at https://www.boisestate.edu/about/
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