Fab Lab Manager
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Job Summary :
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Fab Lab Manager to lead the operation of the Smart Village EME Innovation hub - Fab Lab. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the laboratory's daily operations, ensuring the safe and efficient utilization of digital fabrication equipment, delivering educational programs, supervising commercial manufacturing services, mentoring startups and graduation projects, and supporting product development and rapid prototyping activities. The Fab Lab Manager will play a key role in maximizing equipment utilization, maintaining operational excellence, expanding commercial fabrication services, and fostering innovation through hands-on engineering education and technical community engagement.
Key Responsibilities:
Laboratory Operations
• Manage the daily operation of the Fab Lab and ensure the efficient utilization of all digital fabrication equipment.
• Develop and enforce laboratory operating procedures (SOPs), safety regulations, and quality standards.
• Plan and monitor preventive maintenance schedules, equipment calibration, and operational readiness.
• Supervise laboratory technicians, interns, and Fellows during daily operations.
• Manage laboratory scheduling, equipment reservations, and workflow planning.
• Monitor equipment utilization and recommend continuous operational improvements.
Educational Programs
• Deliver workshops, professional courses, and diploma programs in Digital Fabrication, CAD/CAM, CNC Manufacturing, Laser Cutting, 3D Printing, Reverse Engineering, Product Design, and related technologies.
• Develop practical training materials, laboratory exercises, and project-based learning activities.
• Supervise trainees during hands-on fabrication activities while ensuring compliance with safety procedures.
• Evaluate trainees and support continuous improvement of educational content.
Commercial Manufacturing Services
• Manage the delivery of commercial fabrication services including:
• Review customer requirements and coordinate technical execution with the project team.
• Prepare technical recommendations regarding manufacturing methods, material selection, and production workflows.
• Support quotation preparation and production planning.
Product Development & Innovation
• Mentor startups, innovators, and graduation projects throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Support prototype development, design validation, manufacturability assessment, and product optimization.
• Collaborate with the IoT Lab Manager to deliver integrated hardware solutions.
• Promote Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and rapid iteration methodologies.
Equipment & Technical Management
Manage and supervise the operation of all Fab Lab equipment including, but not limited to:
• CO₂ Laser Cutting Machine
• CNC Router • Metal CNC Milling Machine
• Plasma Cutting Machine
• FDM 3D Printers
• SLA 3D Printer
• Wash & Cure Station
• ERSA Rework Station
• X-Ray Inspection System
• 3D Scanners and Metrology Equipment
• Supporting fabrication tools and workshop equipment
Community & Partnership Development
• Support technical competitions, hackathons, exhibitions, and innovation events.
• Participate in university outreach activities and technical community engagement.
• Contribute to the development of technical articles, fabrication guides, and educational content.
• Promote maker culture and entrepreneurship within the Innovation Hub.
Team Leadership
• Supervise Fab Lab interns, and Fellows.
• Assign daily operational and technical tasks.
• Monitor team performance and support professional development.
• Coordinate laboratory activities with the Project Manager, Lab Admin and IoT Lab Manager.
Reporting & Continuous Improvement
• Prepare operational, technical, and utilization reports.
• Monitor laboratory KPIs and equipment performance.
• Analyze production efficiency and recommend process improvements.
• Support annual planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with project objectives and reporting requirements.
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience in Digital Fabrication, Manufacturing, Product Development, or Fab Lab/Makerspace operations.
• Previous experience managing digital fabrication laboratories, innovation centers, or technical workshops is highly preferred.
Technical Skills
• Strong knowledge of Digital Fabrication technologies and manufacturing processes.
• Hands-on experience with:
• Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks, Autodesk Fusion 360, Autodesk Inventor, or FreeCAD.
• Knowledge of CAM software and CNC programming.
• Understanding of manufacturing materials, tolerances, and production planning.
• Familiarity with Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Testing (DFT).
• Experience with workshop safety standards and machine maintenance.
Soft Skills
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
• Customer-oriented mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to mentor students, startups, and technical teams.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
Preferred Qualifications
• Fab Labs or Makerspaces.
• Product Development and Innovation Centers.
• Startup incubation programs.
• Industrial Manufacturing
• Reverse Engineering.
• Digital Manufacturing.
• Industry 4.0 technologies.
• STEM Education and Technical Training.
• Small-batch manufacturing and Job Shop operations.
Job ID: 151546587
