Director - Testbeds and Fabrication

Director - Testbeds and Fabrication

Lubbock
43965BR
ISCE

Position Description

Directs, plans, coordinates and supervises the operations and activities of a specialized unit or small department; develops and implements policies and procedures, administers the budget, organizes tasks and sets priorities. Serves as liaison with university personnel and community at large. Works under general supervision with broad latitude for initiative and independent judgement.

About the University

Founded in 1923, Texas Tech University began with a mission to serve the needs of West Texas, but its impact has always reached far beyond. Today, Texas Tech, located in Lubbock (pop. 300,000+), is home to a vibrant community of more than 42,000 students.Texas Tech's 1,800-acre campus showcases Spanish Renaissance architecture and is home to one of the country's largest public art collections. Its 13 colleges include a prestigious School of Law and a distinguished School of Veterinary Medicine. These programs equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their respective fields. Built on the values of West Texas - hard work, grit and authenticity - the university graduates students who are deeply engaged in service to their communities and well-positioned to succeed in the world. Texas Tech is committed to achieving research and scholarly accomplishments that compare favorably to the member institutions of the Association of American Universities (AAU). For more than 100 years, Texas Tech has been a premier destination for those seeking a world-class education and a unique, personalized experience as a member of the Red Raider family.

About the Department and/or College

Major/Essential Functions

The candidate will work in the Institute of Sustainability and Circular Economy (https://www.depts.ttu.edu/isce/), Dr. Botte's laboratories (https://www.ceti-lab.com) and/or the NSF Engineering Research Center CASFER (https://www.casfer.us) and will perform work under her supervision and senior research associates with evaluation based on accomplishment of assigned objectives and overall effectiveness of projects.

1. Mechanical Design, Prototyping, and Pilot Operations (40%)

• Direct ISCE machine shop operations
• Supervise Senior Technician and Student Assistants working in the machine shop.
• Lead mechanical design of electrochemical and process systems, including pilot units and testbeds.
• Design, fabricate, assemble, and test prototypes, testing rigs, and experimental systems.
• Modify, operate, and support pilot-scale units at CASFER and partner facilities.
• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety protocols for equipment use.
• Train and mentor graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and postdoctoral scholars in safe and effective operation of testbeds and pilot units.
• Transfer engineering designs, operating procedures, and technical documentation to contract manufacturers and external partners.
• Communicate manufacturing requirements, tolerances, and process parameters clearly to vendors.
• Evaluate and validate manufactured prototypes for performance, quality, and scalability.
• Design system footprints for packaging and deployment; support definition of mechanical equipment and manufacturing processes required for commercialization.
• Support scale-up readiness of ISCE technologies

2. System Evaluation, Data Integration, and Optimization (20%)

• Evaluate system performance using various feedstocks and operating conditions.
• Integrate machine learning, deep learning, and data science methods to optimize process efficiency, reliability, and performance.
• Enable and support remote operation, monitoring, and data acquisition for testbeds and pilot systems.
• Analyze experimental and operational data to inform design improvements and decision-making.

3. Research, Technical Communication, and Proposal Development (25%)

• Prepare technical reports, research papers, engineering documentation, experimental procedures, and internal guidance materials.
• Develop and deliver technical presentations to academic, industry, and funding stakeholders.
• Contribute to the preparation of research proposals, technical sections, budgets (as applicable), and project plans.
• Support compliance with sponsor, university, and safety requirements.

4. Technologies translation (15%)

• Travel to technology demonstrations, trade shows, project sites, and partner locations to support research and deployment activities.
• Provide technical support for CASFER operations, including coordination with faculty, staff, students, and external collaborators.
• Participate in cross-functional teams supporting center operations, reporting, and strategic initiatives.
• Lead Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) processes for technology validation.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in related area required plus five years progressively responsible management experience. Additional education may substitute for experience on a year for year basis.

This position is designated as involving access to critical infrastructure systems and/or research, as defined by Texas Executive Order GA-48. As such, candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive background check prior to employment. Employees are required to comply with all applicable state and federal regulations related to the protection of critical infrastructure. Ongoing employment is dependent upon maintaining eligibility for access and successfully passing periodic security and compliance reviews.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced experience in the design of electrochemical reactors and process systems.
• Advanced experience integrating modeling, experimental validation, and data analytics.
• Experience supporting technology scale-up, pilot-to-manufacturing transitions, or industry partnerships.
• Familiarity with remote monitoring systems, automation, or digital twins.
• Experience working within large, multi-institutional research centers or federally funded programs.
• Experience applying machine learning and deep learning techniques to engineering systems.
• Hands-on experience with 3D printing and rapid prototyping.
• Strong materials science foundation.
• Demonstrated commitment to laboratory safety, compliance, and best engineering practices.

Pay Range

$95,500 - $124,200 - $152,800