Job Description

NEXT Lab Technician

Job no: 494161
Work Type: Staff full-time
Location: Abilene
Categories: Staff, NEXT Lab

About ACU

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. All applicants must be professing Christians and willing to support the Christian mission and purpose of Abilene Christian University while employed by the university.

NEXT Lab Technician

Abilene, Texas

NEXT Lab

Exempt Full Time Staff

The Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing (NEXT) Lab at ACU is a world leader in molten salt reactor technology, whose mission is to provide global solutions to the world’s need for energy, water and medical isotopes by advancing the technology of molten salt reactors while educating future leaders in nuclear science and engineering. We are seeking to add a talented mechanical designer who is eager to learn and explore new technologies to our multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers. 

NEXT Lab Core Values 

Our core values are the fundamental beliefs and guiding principles that shape our culture, behavior, and decisions. 

1. Driven to Deliver 

We take initiative, work hard, and stay curious. We’re proactive, creative problem-solvers who are always learning and pushing forward to get things done. 

2. Better Together 

We believe in the power of collaboration. We communicate openly, support one another, and bring a spirit of respect, fun, and teamwork to everything we do. 

3. Christ-like Character 

We lead with humility, integrity, and wisdom. We strive to be honest mentors who reflect Christ in our actions and relationships.

Basic Responsibilities: 

● Perform equipment setup, maintenance and repair. 

● Contribute to mechanical design and fabrication projects. 

● Serve as primary in-house fabrication supervisor. 

● Oversee lab training and operations for staff and students. 

● Safely maintain fabrication areas of the lab. 

● Other duties as assigned. 

Perform equipment setup, maintenance and repair. 

○ Maintain parts and supplies, set up equipment, and repair (or arrange for the repair of) equipment and/or the facility 

○ Use the internal purchasing system to procure the necessary materials, tooling, and other supplies as needed for various projects 

○ Develop and maintain inventory of stock tooling, materials, ordinary supplies, and as-needed supplies for mechanical and fabrication work. 

○ Establish equipment maintenance schedules and keep maintenance and repair records of all shop and specialty equipment. 

Contribute to mechanical design and fabrication projects. 

○ Contribute to mechanical design including, but not limited to drafting, sourcing materials and equipment, and purchasing materials and equipment. 

○ Work with other staff using CAD to produce 3D and 2D models and drawings as part of the design process for various projects. 

○ Advise team on design decisions based on manufacturability. 

○ Review staff members’ designs. 

○ Aid in procurement and properties documentation of materials parts and equipment. 

○ Assist team members with little or no drafting experience to convert an idea from concept or sketch to machining-ready CAD drawing. 

Serve as primary in-house fabrication supervisor. 

○ Fabricate parts and assemblies as needed in accordance with engineering drawings and specifications. 

○ Supervise all student and staff labor within the shop to maintain high standards of safety, efficiency, and precision.

○ Coordinate with NEXT Lab engineers and external fabricators to determine what should and should not be produced in-house, thus helping to ensure high quality of finished projects. 

Oversee lab training and operations for staff and students. 

○ Provide safety and operational training to all staff and students in the shop, following established Standard Operating Procedures. 

○ Ensure that appropriate safety training is implemented throughout NEXT Lab. ○ Coordinate the materials and/or tooling necessary to complete various projects. 

Safely maintain fabrication areas of the lab. 

○ Ensure safety by overseeing the Standard Operating Procedures and related Work Instructions for the fabrication areas of the Dillard Science and Engineering Research Center. 

○ Coordinate with the Quality Assurance Manager to update and develop new Standard Operating Procedures and Work Instructions as needed. 

Other duties as assigned. 

○ Help in tasks and projects throughout the Lab as needed. 

○ NEXT Lab teams occasionally have high priority tasks that require extra hands-on support in this collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. 

Skills 

○ Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office Suite software 

○ Able to develop solid models and detailed engineering drawings along with detailed assembly drawings using Autodesk Inventor. 

○ Able to operate Manual Milling Machine, Manual Engine Lathe along with MIG/TIG welders and Gas/Plasma Arc cutting tools 

○ High mechanical aptitude 

Training Modules Required 

○ Orientation to standard operating procedures and work instructions. 

○ Autodesk Vault PRO. 

○ Purchasing through NEXT Lab purchasing system. 

○ Safety training modules for general and specific safety hazards.

Professional

○ Associate’s Degree or Higher in Applied Science in Manufacturing Engineering Technology or Mechanical Engineering Technology.
○ Experience in metal machining work.
○ Experience in using CAD programs, preferably Autodesk.

Personal
○ Willing to enforce safety requirements.
○ Able to mentor student workers in the areas of work ethic and personnel protection equipment.
○ Able to counsel students when they have violated Dillard SERC standard operating procedures and work instructions.
○ Able to work well in and across teams of multiple disciplines.
○ Able to consistently document work proposed as well as work done.

○ Able to lift 50 pounds on a regular basis. 

○ Able to stand 1 hour or more while operating equipment or observing students.

○ Corrected 20/20 vision or better. 

ACU does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities, in keeping with applicable state and federal law.

ACU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the university's financial and physical assets.  Therefore, Abilene Christian University conducts background checks on all candidates for employment in security sensitive positions.

Advertised: July 31, 2025 Central Daylight Time
Applications close: Open until filled

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