Research Technician

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General purpose:

The Digital Fabrication Research Technician assists with the day-to-day operation of MICA's Digital Fabrication Studios located in the Mt. Royal Station Building and Dolphin Design Center. The position supports instruction, supervised student access, equipment maintenance, creative and technical research, and the safe operation of digital fabrication technologies. Research Technicians are also encouraged to pursue individual creative research using studio resources outside scheduled work hours, in accordance with studio policies and availability.

Summary of Essential Functions

• Assist with the day-to-day operation, maintenance, and organization of the Digital Fabrication Studios across multiple campus locations 

• Support undergraduate and graduate instruction, supervised student homework access, and open studio hours. 

• Serve as an educational resource by assisting students with digital design, CAD/CAM workflows, file preparation, fabrication processes, and troubleshooting. 

• Maintain safe operation of studio equipment and enforce studio policies and Environmental Health & Safety procedures. 

• Assist the Studio Manager with research, equipment evaluation, documentation, and special projects.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assist with the daily operation of the Digital Fabrication Studios in the Mt. Royal Station Building and Dolphin Design Center.

• Provide technical and instructional support to students by assisting with CAD modeling, digital file preparation, fabrication workflows, and the operation of digital fabrication equipment including laser cutters, CNC routers, 3D printers, and 3D scanning technologies.

• Monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot studio equipment to ensure safe, reliable, and effective operation.

• Maintain Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) compliance by conducting required training, maintaining documentation, enforcing studio policies, modeling safe practices, and promoting a safe working environment.

• Demonstrate and enforce the safe and appropriate use of studio equipment, tools, materials, techniques, and processes.

• Assist with supervising student homework access and open studio hours, provide guidance to student employees, and help foster a welcoming, inclusive, and educational studio environment.

• Contribute to the development of studio documentation, tutorials, workflows, and research that support Digital Fabrication Studio operations and instruction.

• Assist with inventory management and communicate supply and maintenance needs to the Studio Manager.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of Rhino and other CAD/CAM software.

• Practical experience with digital fabrication technologies and workflows, including laser cutting, CNC routing, additive manufacturing (3D printing), and 3D scanning. 

• Practical working experience with woodworking processes and techniques.

• Good mechanical aptitude and the ability to troubleshoot fabrication equipment and digital workflows.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to students, faculty, and colleagues.

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively as part of a team.

• Commitment to maintaining a safe, organized, and inclusive studio environment.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Industrial Design, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

• 1+ years of experience using Rhino or comparable CAD software.

• 1+ years of experience preparing files for digital fabrication workflows.

• 1+ years of experience operating laser cutters, CNC routers, and 3D printers.

• Demonstrated ability to support users with varying levels of technical experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced experience with Rhino, RhinoCAM, and Grasshopper.

• Experience with Adobe Illustrator as part of digital fabrication workflows.

• 2+ years of experience operating and maintaining laser cutters, CNC routers, and 3D printers in a studio or makerspace environment.

• Experience operating and maintaining Universal Laser Systems, Prusa and Formlabs 3D printers, CNC routers, and related digital fabrication equipment. 

• Experience with 3D scanning and photogrammetry.

• Experience working as a technician in an academic fabrication studio, makerspace, or similar educational environment.

• Experience developing studio documentation, tutorials, technical workflows, or instructional materials. 

• Demonstrated interest in fabrication research, prototyping, process development, or creative experimentation. 

• Knowledge of electronics and experience working with microcontrollers.

• Strong portfolio or professional website demonstrating relevant digital fabrication, design, or fabrication work.

Reporting to this position:

• No direct reports

Conditions of Employment:

• Candidate must successfully complete a full background check
• Required to work evenings and weekends

Applicant Instructions:

Submit PDF document to include:

• Resume
• Cover Letter (1 page single spaced, 12pt) – qualifications, experience, what interests you about this position?
• Portfolio of Related Work – website (preferred) or PDF at reasonable resolution. Images should include descriptions about the project.

Please format the PDF document for screen resolution and viewing.  No physical media are requested nor will be returned.

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to 45 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: While performing the duties of the job, the noise level in the work environment is usually minimal. but ear protection may be required at times.
• Required training: Handbook orientation, Anti-Harassment, Hazard Communication, Emergency Plans & Fire Prevention, COVID – 19 Cleaning and Personal Protection Equipment.

Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.

Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.