Job Summary 

This temporary one-year position operates with independence and autonomy within broadly defined organizational goals and objectives established in collaboration with the Department Chair. Employing an in-depth, advanced knowledge of the principles and operation of a variety of specialized scientific instrumentation and other complex equipment, the incumbent has the authority to initiate and define work priorities and assignments. The position exercises independent judgment, discretion, ingenuity, and innovation to resolve complex technical problems; provides substantive input to department regarding their acquisition of equipment, and additional resources; manages service contracts, and provides the leadership necessary to streamline and maintain effective laboratory operations. The incumbent has authority to research, plan, manage, and reconcile purchases and budget for the position and has authority to make purchases up to $10,000. The incumbent hires and manages student assistants related to the position and trains and advises student technicians hired by the department. The position also requires a comprehensive understanding of and involvement with Department safety policies and guidelines, performing upgrades, retrofits, inspections, and improvements in consultation with faculty, the Department Chair, and the Department Safety Committee.  

This position provides technical support in the following areas: Design, prototype, and manufacture complex electro-mechanical equipment or instrumentation to meet special needs and requirements for instruction, research, or individual projects. The incumbent is responsible for all aspects of assigned equipment design, fabrication, and construction for unique, highly technical and prototype equipment or systems. In addition to developing and maintaining complex equipment, develops plans, methods, and techniques for analyzing the location and extent of a malfunction. This position requires the independent application of knowledge of equipment design principles and extensive practical experience. The incumbent also assists students with design and senior projects.  

This is a full-time, 1-year temporary position and is eligible for full benefits, including medical, dental, vision and CalPERS retirement.

Department Summary 

The Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering (IME) Department is a major academic unit in the College of Engineering. The Department offers two BS degree programs to more than 400 undergraduate students within the Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering areas; and two Master's degree programs to approximately 50 graduate students within the graduate areas: MS degree in Industrial Engineering and MS degree in Engineering Management. These programs are highly laboratory intensive. The Department is comprised of the Chair, thirteen tenured or tenure-track faculty, five full time lecturers, approximately 15 part time lecturers, and two technical/administrative support positions.

Key Qualifications

• This position requires the independent application of knowledge of equipment design principles and extensive practical experience.
• Ability to read and understand electrical and electronic control circuit drawings, independently perform related work and repair, and to read and create orthographic drawings.
• Ability to troubleshoot, find information, and experiment with complex, custom equipment.
• Ability to design and fabricate new tooling and equipment components for custom and research-based equipment.
• Ability to read and understand hydraulic drawings and independently perform service and repair work.  

Education and Experience

• Equivalent to three years of journey-level or skilled experience in the maintenance, repair, and operation of scientific or technical equipment in the specialty area to which assigned such as mechanical, electromechanical, electronics or in the specialized category including construction and fabrication and some precision work or requiring trade or craft skills working with a variety of unique materials.
• Equivalent to two years of semi-skilled experience maintaining and repairing scientific or technical equipment or related experience in the type of equipment to which assigned as part of instructional support activities may be substituted for one year of the required experience.
• Equivalent to two years of trade school or technical arts training with specialization in the type of equipment repair to which assigned, completion of an apprenticeship program, or completion of a full military specialization in the required type of equipment maintenance and repair may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $6,500 - $8,359 monthly

Classification Range: $58,140 - $105,180 annually

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.