Mechanical Engineering Lab Manager

Title: Mechanical Engineering Lab Manager
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: Dean of College of Engineering

Job Summary

The Engineering Laboratory Manager supports the daily operation of engineering teaching laboratories by ensuring all equipment tools and facilities are properly maintained safe and ready for instruction. This role oversees preventative maintenance inventory and equipment upgrades; enforces safety policies and compliance with university and regulatory standards; and provides technical support to faculty teaching assistants and students during laboratory courses. The position also assists with lab setup experiment development equipment calibration vendor coordination and continuous improvement of lab spaces technologies and instructional resources.

Additional Information

The College of Engineering (CEG) will emphasize project-based learning and applied research and actively demonstrate societal impact engineers make across communities. For more information visit

Illinois State University was founded in 1857 as Illinois first public university. We enroll approximately 21000 students in seven colleges. Our new strategic plan Excellence by Design: 2024-2029 lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching Learning and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity Diversity Access and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By acting on these values we create a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Learn more about Illinois States Metrics of Excellence at Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal with a metro population of approximately 172000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University Heartland Community College St. Joseph Medical Center Carle BroMenn Medical Center COUNTRY Financial State Farm Insurances International Headquarters Central Illinois Regional Airport and electric truck manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems and its citizens high level of educational attainment as well as its parks and recreation health care vibrant fine arts scene job growth economic opportunity historic sites and low crime rates. Bloomington made Livabilitys top 100 Best Places to Live (2024) and ranked No. 3 on College Values Onlines list of Best Small College Towns in America (2024). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis; two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria Champaign-Urbana Decatur and Springfield. Many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via Amtrak which is located one block from Illinois States campus. For more information on our community visit .

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$30.77 - $33.33 per hour

Required Qualifications

Bachelors (or higher) degree in Mechanical Engineering or Engineering Technology (transcript required)
OR
At least two (2) years of full time (or part-time equivalent) professional level work experience in the operation maintenance and upkeep of traditional mechanical engineering equipment and laboratory systems such as wind tunnels heat exchangers additive manufacturing equipment (3D printer) welding machinery or comparable technologies

Work Hours

Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:

1. Remain at a workstation for extended periods.
2. Distinguish colors on a monitor.
3. Effectively communicate on a daily basis.
4. Move about in various locations across campus as needed to complete day-to-day work.
5. Ability to lift a maximum of 25 lbs.

Proposed Starting Date

April 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume
Cover Letter
Reference List
Transcripts - See Special Instructions section for additional options

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on Apply

Optional Applicant Documents

Certification of Retirement Annuity

Please Note: These documents may be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on Apply

Special Instructions for Applicants

Applicants for this position must be authorized to work in the U.S. without ISU sponsorship. Sponsorship for work authorization will not be considered for this position.

Please fully complete the entire application including but not limited to the education and work history portions. Be specific on your work history including employment dates (if part-time you must list the number of work hours) and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Please do not put see resume in the duties and responsibilities section of the work history. This will be considered an incomplete application and incomplete applications will not be considered.

College or university transcripts (may be unofficial) must be submitted prior to the application deadline in order to receive full consideration. Transcripts can either be uploaded with your application or submitted via the options listed order to be eligible for Veterans Preference points on the exam appropriate military service documentation such as a DD214 must be submitted prior to the application deadline.

Transcripts and/or DD-214 paperwork may be faxed or mailed to Human Resources by the application deadline:

Fax: 309.438.0011 Attn: Colette Homan
Address: Illinois State University
Human Resources
Campus Box 1300
Normal IL 61790-1300

The Civil Service examination for this classification is based on your application materials and responses to the supplemental questions. No participation other than submission of applicant materials is required from applicants that qualify to take the exam. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position you will receive a score calculated based on your education and experience and your name will be placed on the active employment register by exam score. After the application deadline the names within the top three scores will be referred to the department for interview. The active register for this classification will be voided when the position is filled.

Illinois State University is authorized to do business within the State of Illinois. All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois. If hired out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days from the start date for this position. Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois drivers license or a valid State of Illinois ID card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days will result in immediate termination of employment.

University Benefit Highlights:

-Insurance benefits including health dental vision and life
-Retirementand supplemental retirement planning options
-Tuition waiver benefitsavailable to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paidholiday/administrative closuresduring Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paidbenefit time

Additional University Benefit information including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program can be reviewed here: Information for Applicants

Colette Homan
Human Resources

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable an employment history review based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an 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.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at . The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system please call Human Resources at .