Engineering and Fabrication Instructor

Position Overview:

Lick-Wilmerding High School is looking for a new shop faculty member to teach four design-and-build classes that introduce students to the object design process, some engineering principles, and how to work with a variety of tools in a metal-fabrication-focused shop space. The ideal candidate must be comfortable working safely with a diverse set of high school students, using a wide variety of tools and machines, in an interdisciplinary shop environment. You will need some knowledge or desire to learn CNC tools, 3D digital modeling (we use Rhino) and metal shop work–most importantly welding, plasma cutting, and cold forming metal. The Technical Arts Department is a collaborative environment in which instructors work together to build an inclusive student experience in design, engineering, and craft. This is a full-time position that included teaching four classes per semester as well as mentoring a student advising group.

Responsibilities:

Class Responsibilities:

• Teach one year-long class to 9th-grade students an existing curriculum that introduces them to drawing, digital 3D-modeling (we use Rhino), prototyping, and basic metal fabrication (cold forming and some welding)

• Teach two Fall semester classes called “Rethinking Furniture”. This class focuses on helping students research and design innovative pieces for furniture while learning a variety of Interdisciplinary tools and techniques. The instructor has flexibility with specifics in the currently existing curriculum.

• Teach two Spring semester classes called “Kinetics”. This class is a “lite” mechanical engineering class that asks students to learn about mechanical concepts by building projects that explore basic movement with motors, gears, cams, pulleys and more. The class is in a metal shop space but is very interdisciplinary often applying 3D printing, laser cutting, and/or woodworking. The instructor has flexibility with specifics in the currently existing curriculum.

• 20% time on shop machine maintenance and keeping safety procedures and documentation updated.

• Additional Responsibilities:

• Teach and manage a diverse set of students in working safely with a wide variety of tools and machines, during both class and open shop times.

• Work with the department chair as well as other instructors to build and refine curriculum to meet the long-term vision of the department and mission of the school.

• Collaborate with other instructors to make the department more inclusive, innovative, efficient, exciting, and safe

• Assist in the maintenance, organization, and safety of a metal-focused shop space

• Attend monthly department and faculty meetings

• The school is committed to public purpose and community outreach. Experience or interest in these is a plus.

Desired Skills:

• BA or higher in one of the following: industrial design, product design, engineering, architecture, art, or similar field.

• Willingness to engage high school students in the safe use of tools in an OSHA approved environment

• Some experience with welding, plasma cutting, and cold forming metal. Milling and lathing are a bonus

• Some experience CNC tools (we have laser cutters, CNC Plasma, CNC wood router, 3D printing and more)

• Some 3D modeling experience (Rhino preferred, but open to other experience)

• Love of collaboration

• Commitment to equity and inclusion with students and teachers of varying racial, gender, socioeconomic, and other core identifiers

• Flexibility, discipline, and patience when working with students aged 14-18 years

• An inherent desire to grow and innovate

Physical Requirements:

Applicants should be able to comfortably lift a minimum of 20 pounds of class supplies and materials, be on your feet for 2–3 hours on a concrete floor, and be able to sit and work at a computer for 2–3 hours at a time. At times, students and machines make the shop environment noisy—tolerance of medium to loud noise is recommended. General shop and wood dust are common—applicants with allergies to these particles would likely find them challenging to manage.

How to Apply:

Please submit—all in PDF format—a cover letter including links to a few projects you’ve worked on, resume, statement of educational philosophy, and contact information for three references. In a cover letter, describe how your experience prepares you for the role outlined in the job description and how your interests and experience align with the Lick-Wilmerding mission statement. No calls or emails please.