Job Description

Job Summary
Advanced Manufacturing Engineers
The University of Utah Department of Mechanical Engineering is seeking a staff engineer in the area of advanced manufacturing to help build a premier advanced manufacturing facility and to support workforce development through hands-on training of students and operational management of manufacturing-related lab courses. This position directly shapes the future of advanced manufacturing by ensuring students gain the skills, confidence, and technical fluency required by modern industry. The selected candidate will help build the infrastructure, culture, and capabilities that define a cutting‑edge manufacturing program.

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu
The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget.
Responsibilities
Oversee and support the day‑to‑day technical operations of manufacturing‑related laboratory courses, ensuring safe, reliable, and high‑quality learning environments.
Design, build, and implement new laboratory infrastructure aligned with modern manufacturing paradigms, including automation, digital workflows, advanced materials, and data‑driven process control.
Train, mentor, and supervise students in hands‑on manufacturing techniques, equipment operation, and engineering best practices to prepare a highly capable workforce for industry needs.
Collaborate with faculty and instructional staff to continuously improve lab content, demonstrations, and experiential learning modules.
Maintain and upgrade manufacturing equipment, instrumentation, and digital systems to support evolving curricular and research needs.
Serve as a technical resource for student teams, capstone projects, and industry‑aligned initiatives requiring advanced manufacturing expertise.
Ensure compliance with safety standards, operational protocols, and documentation practices across all lab activities.

Manufacturing Automation Engineer, I
Requires a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field. Requires basic skill set and proficiency. Conducts work assignments as directed. Closely supervised with little latitude for independent judgment.
Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience or a master’s (or equivalency) degree.
This is an Entry-Level position in the General Professional track.
Job Code: P45801
Grade: P15

Manufacturing Automation Engineer, II
Requires a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field. Requires moderate skill set and proficiency in discipline. Conducts work assignments of increasing complexity, under moderate supervision with some latitude for independent judgment.
Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.
This is a Developing-Level position in the General Professional track.
Job Code: P45802
Grade: P17

Manufacturing Automation Engineer, III
Requires a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field. Considered highly skilled and proficient in discipline. Conducts complex, important work under minimal supervision and with wide latitude for independent judgment.
Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.
This is a Career-Level position in the General Professional track.
Job Code: P45803
Grade: P19
Minimum Qualifications
EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).
Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

Manufacturing Automation Engineer, I: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience or a master’s (or equivalency) degree.

Manufacturing Automation Engineer, II: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.

Manufacturing Automation Engineer, III: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences
Significant hands‑on experience with manufacturing processes, laboratory operations, or technical training environments
Demonstrated ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot manufacturing equipment, instrumentation, and digital tools used in instructional or prototyping labs.
Strong communication, teamwork, and mentoring skills, with experience training students, technicians, or early‑career engineers in safe and effective manufacturing practices.
Proven ability to manage day‑to‑day lab activities, prioritize concurrent tasks, and maintain a safe, organized, and high‑functioning learning environment.
Familiarity with modern manufacturing paradigms such as additive manufacturing, robot-assisted manufacturing, automation, digital workflows, or data‑driven process control.
Willingness and expressed interest to continuously up-skill to build the most cutting-edge manufacturing technologies within the advanced manufacturing facility.
Type Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.


This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.


The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.


Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.