Senior Academic Technologist, Innovation Center

Job Description:

Position Summary:

The Senior Academic Technologist for the Innovation Center is an experienced collaborative and inventive leader who shapes an interdisciplinary experimental and hands-on teaching and learning environment. This role brings together students faculty and staff to explore how emerging technologiesfrom robotics and digital fabrication to AI AR/VR and motion capturecan transform learning research and creative practice across the liberal arts. The position advances the Colleges commitment to intellectual curiosity and flexibility; aesthetic and analytical discernment; disciplinary practice; creativity and communication; and engaged citizenship.

The Senior Academic Technologist leads the daily operations safety instruction and programming for the Innovation Centers makerspace and advanced technology studios including facilities for laser cutting woodworking metalworking 3D printing robotics motion capture and immersive media. This role is central to enabling hands-on team-based and socially intelligent innovation experiences that prepare Hamilton students to lead and design in a rapidly evolving technology-driven world. This in-person front-facing role reports to the Director of Academic Technology Teaching and Research Services.

Artificial intelligence big data machine learning robotics and immersive technologies are reshaping every field of study. Hamiltons Innovation Center positions the College at the forefront of preparing liberal arts studentsnot just as technologists but as thinkers designers and leaders across all disciplinesto engage these tools critically creatively and collaboratively. The Senior Academic Technologist will play a defining role in bringing this vision to life.

Responsibilities:

Makerspace and Studio Management

• Manage and serve as the primary lead in the day-to-day operation of the Innovation Center Makerspace and related studios including fabrication labs robotics areas and motion capture / AR/VR facilities with strategic support from LITS colleagues.
• Maintain troubleshoot and oversee safe use of equipment such as laser cutters CNC tools woodworking and metalworking machinery 3D printers robotics platforms and emerging prototyping technologies.
• Develop implement and enforce comprehensive safety protocols and training programs for all equipment and creative spaces.
• Oversee inventory supplies tool maintenance and vendor relationships related to makerspace and emerging technology operations.
  

Instruction Training and Academic Collaboration

• Provide hands-on instruction and training for students faculty and staff in the use of makerspace tools robotics immersive technologies and interactive media.
• Collaborate with faculty across disciplines to support course-based projects research arts practice and creative work that leverage the Innovation Centers facilities.
• Support design thinking rapid prototyping and iterative experimentation as core pedagogical approaches within a liberal arts context emphasizing both artistic and technical creativity.
• Translate complex technologies into accessible inclusive learning experiences that foster creativity problem-solving and ethical engagement.
  

Student Workforce Leadership

• Recruit train supervise and mentor a team of student employees who support makerspace operations peer instruction and user assistance including the possibility of student Innovation Fellows.
• Foster a collaborative welcoming and inclusive culture within the Innovation Center that values teamwork curiosity and shared responsibility.
• Develop student leadership pathways that build technical fluency artistic and creative practice communication skills and social intelligence.
  

Programming and Innovation Ecosystem

• In collaboration with Instructional Designers and Research Librarians and LITS colleaguesincluding the Program Manager for Innovation Programs & Partnerships design and support workshops open labs demonstrations and interdisciplinary events that promote creative and artistic use of makerspace interactive media and emerging technologies.
• Partner with campus units including LITS colleagueslibraries and academic technology entrepreneurship initiatives and research programs to integrate Innovation Center resources into broader institutional goals.
• Stay current with trends in emerging technologies maker education robotics and experiential learning and recommend new tools or practices aligned with Hamiltons mission.
  

Strategic Development and Assessment

• Contribute to the ongoing development of the Innovation Centers vision policies and long-term planning.
• Collect and analyze data related to space usage learning outcomes and project impact to inform continuous improvement.
• Coordinate budget planning and expense management for the Innovation Center in partnership with the Director of Academic Technology Teaching & Research Services.
• Coordinate with Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) on projects that intersect with administrative systems or institutional platforms engaging EIS as advisors to ensure alignment security and operational integration.
• Support campus conversations around responsible innovation including the intersection of technology ethics sustainability and human-centered design.
• Assumes other duties as required or assigned.

Education & Experience:

Required:

• Bachelors degree required; advanced degree or equivalent professional experience preferred.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with makerspace technologies including laser cutting CNC router woodworking metalworking 3D printing and robotics.
• Experience developing and enforcing safety protocols in fabrication or lab environments.
• Experience instructing or training users in an inclusive technical environment.
• Experience designing or facilitating experiential learning hands-on workshops or technology-enhanced learning experiences for students and/or faculty.
• Commitment to inclusive pedagogy team-based learning and liberal arts values.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a higher education makerspace innovation lab fabrication shop or similar environment.
• Familiarity with AR/VR motion capture immersive media or emerging experiential technologies.
• Experience supervising and mentoring student employees.
• Interest in the ethical social and cultural dimensions of technology and innovation.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships across campus.
• Ability to foster an inclusive equitable and accessible learning community.
• Strong communication collaboration and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of current trends in innovation and emerging technologies and their applications in the arts and liberal arts disciplines.
• Knowledge and familiarity with design thinking project management and technology-driven creative practices.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to assess project needs ask relevant questions and match users with appropriate tools methods and resources.
• Basic teaching training or facilitation skills with learners of varying technical and artistic experience.
• Ability to communicate clearly and collaborate effectively in oral and written formats.
• Organizational skills attention to detail and time management sufficient to handle multiple responsibilities.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks for self and others in a dynamic environment.
• Adaptability flexibility and willingness to engage in ongoing professional learning.
• Professional demeanor and service orientation when interacting with students faculty staff and the public.
• Knowledge of design thinking methodologies and interdisciplinary project-based learning.

Compensation Range:

$75000 - $85000

EEO Policy:

Benefits:

For Benefits Information please navigate to the following link:

Employment - Work at Hamilton - Hamilton College