Fabrication Lab Supervisor

SRA 3 (009611)

UCPath Position ID: 41250292

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

8/3/2026 3:02:28 PM

Date Last Edited:

8/3/2026 3:02:25 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1210O

Organization:

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE        

Division Code:

1212D

Division:

ARTS & ARCHITECTURE DIV                

Department:

042500 - DEPT OF DESIGN I MEDIA ARTS

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

41250292

Position Description ID

261267

UC Payroll Title:

SRA 3 (009611)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

RX: Research Support Professionals

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40059869

Reports to Payroll Title:

SRA 4

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40064057

Department Head Payroll Title:

ADMIN SUPV 2

GENERAL DIRECTION - Indicates that the incumbent receives guidance in terms of broad goals and overall objectives and is responsible for establishing the methods to attain them. Generally the incumbent is in charge of an area of work, and typically formulates policy for this area but does not necessarily have final authority for approving policy.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the Technology Labs Manager, the Fabrication Lab Supervisor provides the technical and operational leadership necessary to maintain the Fabrication Lab as a safe, accessible, and innovative environment for teaching, research, creative practice, and interdisciplinary experimentation. The position exists to ensure that students, faculty, and staff have the facilities, equipment, expertise, and guidance needed to translate creative and scholarly concepts into successful physical and digital outcomes.

As the department's primary resource for advanced fabrication and emerging production technologies, the position supports the integration of technical knowledge into the academic and creative mission of the department. The position enables faculty, students, and staff to successfully apply advanced fabrication technologies to research, instruction, and creative practice by providing technical consultation, instructional support, and collaborative problem-solving throughout the development process.

The position also provides strategic oversight of the Fabrication Lab's operations, safety practices, staffing, resources, and Sales & Service activities. This oversight ensures that the lab remains a safe place compliant with university requirements, financially responsible, responsive to evolving instructional and research needs, and prepared to adopt new tools, technologies, and methods that expand the department's creative and technical capabilities.

Working closely with students, faculty, and staff the Fabrication Lab Supervisor fosters a culture of safety, learning, collaboration, and innovation. Success in this role depends on sound technical judgment, instructional and fabrication expertise, organizational leadership, and effective communication to support a diverse academic community and advance the department's educational, research, and creative mission.

The UCLA Department of Design Media Arts (DMA) strives to educate conscientious designers and media artists and to create socially and culturally relevant work. DMA's renowned faculty guide students to develop truly contemporary practices in typography, graphic design, branding, digital fabrication/printing, photography/video, video games and 3D modeling, virtual/augmented reality, art+science, social and environmental practice, public arts, media archeology and theory, creative coding, interaction, electronics, and interface design. We make our work public in galleries and laboratories, as social media, on large screens, smart phones and game consoles, in media installations, performances and public spaces, as websites, posters, books and magazines.

Lab Management

and Instruction

1A. Instruct, support, advise, and supervise undergraduates, graduates, teaching assistants, staff, and faculty working in the Fabrication Lab, including work with complex digital prototyping and production tools, and electronics components such as accuators, sensors, and microcontrollers). Develop standard operating procedures, policies, and guidelines for safe conduct in the labs. (E)

2A. Responsible for scheduling and conducting orientation and safety training for new lab users. Also schedule and conduct orientation for returning shop users. Demonstrate safe use of tools and processes for shop users(E)

3A. Hire, train, and supervise student workers who provide technical support to the Fabrication Lab. Determine work assignments, create and maintain schedules, sign time sheets verifying hours worked and evaluate job performance for student assistants. (E)

4A. Responsible for complying with all safety and OSHA-related requirements, including proper sign posting, accident prevention, handling and disposal of hazardous materials; establish safety regulations, and develop methods to educate students, faculty and teaching assistants on the safe use thereof. Consult with the fire marshal, staff from Environmental Health and Safety or others as needed. (E)

5A. Enforce policies for use of shop and storage areas as a shared space that must be kept clean and organized by all users at all times. (E)

6A. Assist faculty with presentations, development and modification of course materials and procedures. Help teaching assistants determine class and student process and material needs. (E)

7A. Schedule and conduct periodic workshops depending upon course and students' independent research needs. (E)

8A. Post and maintain regular hours for self and space. Supervise inventory and maintain lab supplies.

9A. Ensure maintenance of and access to technical documentation, user manuals, and related course materials. Recommend acquisition of training manuals and technology literature. (E)

10A. Other lab management and instructional duties as assigned.

50%

Operations,

Maintenance,

Equipment and

Supplies

Management

1B. Oversee day-to-day operations of the Fab Lab. Includes health and safety, cleanliness, organization, and security. (E)

2B. Maintain, repair, clean, and service all equipment, tools, and functional features of the Fab Lab. (E)

3B. Maintain expenditure control over Sales and Service budgets for the shop, electronics lab, materials sales, and laser cutting service. (E)

4B. Responsible for the lab supply inventory including wood, plastics, adhesives, paints, fasteners, brushes, and other materials as required for lab users to complete their projects. Purchase and stock/restock Lab supplies as necessary. (E)

5B. Develop, follow and maintain inventory control systems for all materials, supplies, and equipment. (E)

6B. Monitor equipment for routine wear and tear making sure equipment and tools are maintained and/or kept in good repair. (E)

7B. Prepare, project and justify budgetary needs for the Fab Lab and laser cutting service areas. Maintain records of expenditures for the Fab Lab and laser cutter service areas. (E)

8B. Manage the day-to-day operations of the Fab Lab laser cutting service. (E)

9B. Coordinate with Campus Facilities Division concerning custodial needs as well as major or minor repairs and remodeling as necessary. (E)

10B. Alter shop equipment, furniture, and configuration as needed to meet research and instructional needs. (E)

11B. Conduct annual inventory of lab equipment. (E)

35%

Budget

C1. Track expenses against operational budget for equipment, supplies and employees. Report any discrepancies in a timely manner. (E)

C2. Manage and administer all aspects of lab activities and operations as a Sales & Service enterprise unit. (E)

5%

Research and

Special Projects

1D. Research projects as assigned by the Technology Labs Manager. (E)

2D. Assist with special events, exhibitions, or projects as needed; help with fabrication and installation of exhibitions. (E)

3D. Design, build, repair and alter furniture for non-faculty lab areas and classrooms in DMA as needed as needed to meet academic and research needs. (E)

10%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

in Design Media Arts or related area or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required

And

Master's Degree

MFA degree in Design Media Arts or equivalent professional work experience.

Required

Demonstrated knowledge of a variety of workshop equipment and construction tools, including power tools like band saws, table saws, drills, sanders, and hand tools such as chisels, planes, and hand saws. Demonstrated skill working with CNC routers, plotters/cutters, 3D printers and laser cutters.

Required

Expertise working with different building materials, e.g., wood, plastic, metal, foam, cloth, and wire. Expertise working with multimedia construction techniques for sculpture and design, including mold making, furniture making, jig-making, casting, sewing, etc.

Required

Basic experience with electronics and microcontrollers. Experience in working with a variety of electronic tools and materials, including sensors, interactive systems, oscilloscopes, actuators, motors, microcontrollers, and robotics. Knowledge of the principles of analog and digital electronics.

Required

Excellent oral communication capability to instruct others about safety procedures and proper

equipment and facility use. Ability to assert authority for maintaining safety standards as well as a clean working environment. Skills to supervise a group or an individual in safe usage of tools,

equipment.

Required

Negotiating skills for exchanging ideas, information, directions and opinions with students, faculty and staff. Ability to formulate policies and procedures. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with all demographic groups.

Required

Demonstrated skills diagnosing, repairing, maintaining, and researching shop tools and equipment, including purchasing and replacing blades and bits for cutting, sawing, and drilling equipment.

Required

Ability to use a computer for administrative tasks as well as 2D and 3D graphic software to build,

visualize, and control modern tools and machinery such as laser cutters, 3D printers, and CNC mills.

Required

Ability to supervise student workers, organize schedules, assign jobs, sign timesheets, evaluate

performance and verify hours worked.

Required

Ability to read and understand university forms, policies, and procedures to complete the functions of this position within standard parameters. Ability to be well organized to assist with operational, technical, and administrative aspects of the position, and to work independently while prioritizing changing needs.

Required

Ability to maintain a professional, patient demeanor at all times.

Required

Ability to function in a working-shop environment, with its related noise, potential dangers, and

occasional dust. Working knowledge of first-aid procedures. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Required

Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends. Ability to drive off-campus vendors.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.

CANRA: The position is designated as a mandatory reporter under CANRA. The employee must sign the "Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse".

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

The Broad Art Center

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

Bending/Stooping

X

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

X

Loud noise levels

X

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.