Job Req ID:  110684

Sr. Instrument Designer

We are seeking a Sr. Instrument Designer who will be responsible for developing custom components for members of the Department of Neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University, operating out of a well-equipped machine shop at the School of Medicine. The Senior Instrument Designer will design, build, modify and repair components for department faculty, staff and students, and members of its affiliated centers and institutes, assisting individuals with their specific research needs. The Senior Instrument Designer will coordinate activities within the Neuroscience Machine Shop, including supply ordering, and will ensure the shop functions as efficient service center of the university. The individual will be expected to perform assignments independently to achieve expected results, in close consultation with faculty or research staff members. Work will be co-supervised by the Neuroscience Machine Shop Oversight Committee (technical) and the Neuroscience Administrator (administrative and financial).


Specific Duties & Responsibilities

  • Design, construct, fabricate, modify, improve, and ensure workability of instruments and mechanisms.
  • Consult with faculty, research scientists, staff, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students, exchanging ideas and advising them on what needs to be accomplished to meet their design, modification and repair needs in the most efficient, effective, and safe way.
  • Problem solve and provide solutions.
  • Repair and test equipment for faculty, research scientists, postdoctoral fellows and students, in support of their projects, designs, and ideas of experimental machinery.
  • Recommend and advise on project materials by explaining the differences in how the material will react and perform, the costs associated with each material, and the suitability of each material with regards to the success of the project.
  • Coordinate with personnel at the university's 3D printing/rapid prototyping facilities to produce 3D-printing instruments, when such option presents an appropriate alternative to machining.
  • Provide reasonably accurate estimates of time and materials required to meet the clients' design needs.
  • Keep accurate records of time and materials spent on each job or project; prepare Service Requests, including time and materials, for the Machine Shop Administrator.
  • Schedule and prioritize workload with input from the Oversight Committee to ensure customers' needs are met.
  • Purchase materials and supplies from JHU preferred vendors, as appropriate, by procurement card and/or SAP eMarketplace.
  • Provide documentation to Machine Shop Administrator to ensure timely reconciliation of P-card purchases.
  • Ensure that routine maintenance on Machine Shop equipment is performed so that it functions properly, efficiently and productively.
  • Periodically assess the state of the Machine Shop to ensure efficient utilization and adequate resources for future research and development, equipment, and space needs. Maintain organization, order and cleanliness of all shop areas.


Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in an engineering or scientific discipline and/or Toolmakers Apprenticeship (State Level) and evidence of practical experience, with advanced knowledge in instrumentation engineering.
  • Proven comprehensive knowledge of state-of-the-art machining operations, preferably in a research and teaching environment.
  • Thorough knowledge of personal computers, including word processing and spreadsheets.
  • High level of sound, independent judgment and analytical ability to resolve technical and administrative problems.
  • Inherent ability to problem solve and suggest solutions.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills to assist and communicate effectively with a diverse population of faculty, staff, students, on-campus shops and labs, and external vendors.
  • Candidate must possess initiative, problem-solving, and innovation skills, as well as professionalism, adaptability and organizational skills to keep pace in a constantly evolving pool of research ideas and projects.
  • Ability to lift heavy equipment.
  • Working knowledge of computer aided design (CAD) software highly desirable.


Preferred Qualifications
  • The preferred candidate will also have a high level of technical, managerially oriented, educational, development, and professional knowledge of theory and practice in all areas of machine shop operations and safety as it relates to Engineering.


Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

  • Thorough knowledge of machining equipment and machining fundamentals, in particular manual mill & lathe for creating small instruments.
  • AutoCAD familiarity.
  • CNC milling/grinding experience.
  • tool & die training and work experience.
  • Use of metals and sheet metals to design, form and fabricate projects.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite.
  • Knowledge of occupational safety and health guidelines as they relate to shop use, and use of hazardous chemicals and materials.
  • Knowledge of Material Data Safety Sheets (MOSS} use and interpretation required.
  • Blueprint reading - professional experience and interpretation; inspection principles.

 


 

Classified Title: Sr. Instrument Designer 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Sr. Instrument Designer   
Role/Level/Range: ACRO37.5/03/CH  
Starting Salary Range: Min $29.50 - Max $52.00 HRLY ($68,348.48 targeted; Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00 
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt 
Location: School of Medicine - East Baltimore Campus 
Department name: 10002905-SOM Neuro Sci Neuroscience 
Personnel area: School of Medicine 

 

 

Total Rewards
The referenced salary range is based on Johns Hopkins University’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/.

Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines: JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

**Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

EEO is the Law:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

Accommodation Information
If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit https://accessibility.jhu.edu/.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending upon campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

School of Medicine - East Baltimore Campus