School of Engineering Machinist

School of Engineering

Job # 551509

Close Date: October 30, 2025

(Internal Only)

 

At Cal Poly Humboldt, bold hearts and open minds shape the future. Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers. Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs. Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands-on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world.

Cal Poly Humboldt is proud to have more than 6,000 students of all backgrounds spread across 61 majors, 13 graduate programs, and 4 credential programs — all of whom contribute passion and creativity within their fields and set the stage for a future grounded in equity and sustainability. Hands-on learning, inspired teaching, ground-breaking research, and thought-provoking creative activity happen daily at Humboldt.

Finding a better future is a task for the bold and open, the down-to-earth and visionary. Cal Poly Humboldt strives to cultivate these qualities in leaders, innovators, and scholars in every field.

(Job # 551509) Equipment Tech III - Mechanical, School of Engineering Machinist, CSU Classification Salary Range: $5,157 – $7,513 per month (Step 1- Step 20), Hiring Range: $5,157- $5,583 per month (Step 1-5). Step placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience. Step placement upon appointment is not expected to exceed Step 5 ($5,583 per month) for highly qualified candidates. Future increases, including step advancement, are subject to union negotiations.

This is a probationary, full-time, benefited, non-exempt, 12-month pay plan position in the School of Engineering Department. This position comes with a premium benefits package that includes outstanding vacation, medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, voluntary pre-tax health and dependent care reimbursement accounts, a fee waiver education program, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and 14 paid holidays per year. Additional benefits information can be found at https://hraps.humboldt.edu/employee-benefits. Please note that this is an internal recruitment open only to active, stateside, Cal Poly Humboldt Employees.

 

Position Summary:

The School of Engineering Machinist provides essential technical support for machine shop and manufacturing lab facilities within the School of Engineering. This position is responsible for fabricating and modifying prototypic research equipment, maintaining and repairing scientific and laboratory equipment, and training students and faculty in safe shop operations. This role requires expertise in machining, manufacturing principles, and CAD-CAM applications, with primary duties including design and fabrication support, equipment repair and maintenance, and coordination of facilities, purchasing, and safety compliance. The position includes ancillary support given to other programs within CNRS.

 

Key Responsibilities:

Fabrication support (50%)

• Design or assist in the design and fabrication of new equipment for instruction, research or student project work.
• Assemble demonstration and laboratory equipment when necessary.
• Design and construct equipment that cannot be easily obtained.
• Modify purchased items to be more suitable for specific uses.
• Research and advise suitable material use as per environmental health and safety regulations and fiscal responsibility.
• Train students and faculty in safe manufacturing and shop use.

Equipment repair and maintenance, including: (35%)

• Analyze the location and extent of any malfunctions, repairs, modifications and calibrations of scientific and laboratory equipment and coordinates service providers for complex repairs or fabrication
• Coordinate regular inspection and improvement of all safety systems including engineering controls, PPE, SDS sheets, inspection reports, and safety documentation.
• Participate in University and College staff safety meetings and safety audits and prepare reports for the Department Chair as needed.

Facilities coordination and maintenance (5%)

• Works with building coordinators and Facilities Management to identify building maintenance needs and take appropriate actions to generate work orders for repair.
• Acts as liaison to off campus vendors in upkeep of shop facilities.

Purchasing and bookkeeping (5%)

• Maintains up to date training and proficiency in university purchasing and accounting systems
• Researches, specifies and orders equipment, supplies and replacement parts as necessary to minimize equipment and laboratory downtime
• Anticipates and prioritizes needs, orders equipment, supplies and materials using the university financial systems
• Tracks orders and assures receipt of orders
• Maintains up-to-date financial information based on university financial systems

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Associated with this Position Include:

●Knowledge of the principles and techniques used in manufacturing.

●College level coursework in the physical sciences is required.

● The ability to read and interpret complex mechanical drawings.

● Ability to maintain, diagnose, repair and modify instrumentation and equipment commonly used in instructional engineering (energy systems, environmental and mechanical or similar disciplines) laboratories, including the use of hand and power tools. 

●Ability to work independently and collegially

●Must have excellent organizational skills and dependability

●Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including MS 0ffice, CAD-CAM and online university apps.

●Repairs, modifies and calibrates scientific and laboratory equipment and coordinates with equipment technicians or service providers for complex repairs or fabrication

●Skill in the safe operation and use of machine shop tools.

●Knowledge of the operations of milling and turning equipment, including computer numerically controlled (CNC) machinery.

●Knowledge of welding principles, sheet metal work.

●Ability to physically install and configure equipment, connections, wiring, and cable as required

●Ability to occasionally lift 50 pounds.

●Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Years of Experience:

• Equivalent to three years of experience in the maintenance, repair, and operation of scientific or technical equipment used within the Engineering or Physical Science fields, including one year involving design modifications and fabrication of complex and highly technical equipment

or

• Equivalent to two years of semi-skilled experience maintaining and repairing scientific or technical equipment or related equipment experience as part of instructional support activities may be substituted for one year of the required experience

or

• Equivalent to two years of trade school or technical arts training with specialization in the repair of Engineering or Physical Science equipment, completion of an apprenticeship program, or completion of a full military specialization in the appropriate equipment and repair may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

Application Procedure: To apply, qualified candidates must electronically submit the following materials by clicking the Apply Now button:

• Letter of Interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for at least three professional references

Application Deadline: The deadline to submit application materials is 11:55 p.m. on October 30, 2025.

Any inquiries about this recruitment can be directed to careers@humboldt.edu or Cal Poly Humboldt’s Human Resources Office at (707) 826-3626.

We acknowledge that Cal Poly Humboldt is located on the unceded lands of the Wiyot people, where they have resided from time immemorial. We encourage all to gain a deeper understanding of their history and thriving culture. As an expression of our gratitude, we are genuinely committed to developing trusting, reciprocal, and long-lasting partnerships with the Wiyot people as well as all of our neighboring tribes. Cal Poly Humboldt was the first campus in the California State University system to offer a stand-alone major in Native American Studies.

Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to enriching its educational environment and its culture through the diversity of its staff, faculty, and administration. Persons with interest and experience in helping organizations set and achieve goals relative to diversity and inclusion are especially encouraged to apply.

Working in the state of California is a condition of employment for this position. Even if part or all of an employee's assignment can be performed remotely, the employee must maintain a permanent residence in the state of California. The employee must be able to accept on-campus work assignment, as assigned, and come to campus when needed.

CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measure established by each campus. The systemwide policy can be found at CSU Vaccination Policy and any questions you have may be submitted to hr@humboldt.edu.

Cal Poly Humboldt hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. This position may be considered a “Campus Security Authority”, pursuant to the Clery Act, and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1107 a condition of employment.

CAL POLY HUMBOLDT IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

Evidence of required degree(s), certification(s), or license(s) is required prior to the appointment date. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check, employment verification, and education verification) is required for employment. Cal Poly Humboldt will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or if it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Certain positions may also require a credit check, motor vehicle report, and/or fingerprinting through Live Scan service. Failure to satisfactorily complete or adverse findings from a background check may affect the employment status of candidates or continued employment of current CSU employees who are being considered for the position.

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, the Cal Poly Humboldt provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly Humboldt complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.  Cal Poly Humboldt is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly Humboldt, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Mandated Reporting: This position may be considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Additionally, all CSU staff and faculty receive training annually on their obligations in responding to and reporting incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence. You will be notified by email when you are required to take this mandated training.

 

Class Code: 7021
Publication Date: October 10, 2025