Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are:

The Swarthmore Physics & Astronomy department faculty, staff, and students work together to develop scientific equipment for research, education, and public outreach projects. Department facilities include machine and electronics shops, four experimental faculty research laboratories, numerous instructional laboratories, and an optical and radio observatory (the Peter Van de Kamp Observatory). Physics majors take a fabrication course that uses both traditional machining, CNC milling, and basic electronics techniques. We value collaboration, collegiality, and learning. 

The opportunity:

The Scientific Instrument Maker and Machine Shop Supervisor plays a vital role in supporting the teaching and research mission of the Physics & Astronomy Department. This is a highly independent position responsible for the design, co-design, fabrication, assembly, improvement, and occasional repair of specialized apparatus for instructional labs, classroom demonstrations, and faculty research. The Supervisor works closely with faculty to brainstorm creative solutions, translating scientific ideas into reliable instruments that advance learning and discovery.

In addition to equipment design and fabrication, the Supervisor manages and oversees the Department’s machine shop, ensuring safe and effective operation of fabrication equipment. The shop is equipped with a full range of tools for basic machining and also features a new CNC mill purchased in 2020. The position also includes some responsibilities for co-instruction of students on basic shop practices and shop safety.

We seek a candidate with experience as a machinist, scientific instrument maker, or equivalent background who is eager to learn new skills, adapt to novel scientific challenges, and contribute to a culture of experimentation and innovation. By combining hands-on craftsmanship with independent problem-solving, the Supervisor ensures that the machine shop remains an essential resource for the department’s educational and research programs.

Essential Responsibilities

• Fabricate unique, custom-built apparatus from a wide range of materials—including metals, plastics, composites, wood, and glass—to support both instructional and research activities.
• Collaborate with faculty and instructional staff, including the observatory manager, to diagnose and resolve problems with scientific instruments and laboratory apparatus. This includes assisting with maintaining the Peter van de Kamp Observatory telescopes and domes.
• Contribute to student training by providing co-instruction in Physics 063 (fall semester) on basic shop practices and safety, and by partnering with faculty to onboard research students at designated times during the spring semester and summer.
• Confer with faculty members to identify needs for new or improved scientific instruments and laboratory apparatus; provide design advice and/or prepare technical drawings. As needed, research existing designs, material properties, and fabrication techniques to develop the most effective solutions.
• Maintain and oversee the Machine Shop’s equipment, ensuring that all machinery, tools, and systems remain in safe and reliable working order.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Train and supervise students to use fabrication equipment in the Physics & Astronomy department machine shop.

Who you are:

• Proficient oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to train students, faculty, and staff in fabrication techniques and safety procedures.
• Comfortable working independently and collaboratively with technical staff.
• Able to be collaborative and also move forward on projects independently, work ethic, high personal standards, willingness to learn, interest in helping others learn.
• Solving new problems every time a new project is initiated; collaborating effectively with a wide range of people (students, faculty, staff), managing multiple projects simultaneously.

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with three years of experience as an instrument maker, machinist, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Proficiency in using manual instruments for fabricating parts from metal, plastics, and wood.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in or willingness to engage in accelerated training in CAD, 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC machining.
• Experience with scientific instruments, and/or background in science or engineering.
• Experience with or willingness to engage in accelerated training in mechanical systems, vacuums, and working with compressed gases.
• Experience with or willingness to engage in accelerated training in welding and glasswork.
• Skills in or willingness to engage in accelerated training in building maintenance, including plumbing and electrical work.

Physical Demands

• Must be physically able to lift equipment up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to lift and/or move large equipment/material with the aid of mechanical lifts, dollies, carts, etc.

Working Conditions

• Ability to work evening and weekend hours on occasion.
• Ability to work in a machine shop environment including noise levels.

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with an uploaded resume, including a cover letter by October 31, 2025. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the job has been filled. A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. If you have experience that meets any of the preferred qualifications, please include a detailed explanation of any such experience in your cover letter and how it meets the preferred qualification(s).

The market range for this position is $73,000 - $96,000 per year, which represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. The salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience and education of the final selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

PA Criminal Clearance Required

Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

Preview our Benefits Flyer. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

2025 Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook

Retirement Plans

Tuition Grant Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Time Off (Staff)

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College is committed to creating a culture of respect and inclusion so that every member of our community feels a sense of belonging. We actively seek and welcome candidates with diverse perspectives and experiences, exceptional qualifications, and a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College Policy.