Prototyping Studio Consultation Lead Job at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg

Job Description

The Prototyping Studio Consultation Lead. under the supervision of the Prototyping Studio Manager, provides primary support to the Prototyping Studio’s consultation team. The Consultation Lead’s role provides a consistent place for the flow of both documentation and feedback for Studio consultants. This position identifies needs in policy and change in service model to the Prototyping Studio Manager by acting as a frontline source of information to maintain an actively engaging space.

In addition, the Consultation Lead helps patrons discover and use the Prototyping Studio’s technologies. This position will build projects that teach tools, technologies, or techniques relevant to the space. The Consultation Lead supports student consultant training projects to completion and acts as a lead advisor on the design thinking process for student consultants. As more teaching projects are completed, this role will identify to the studio manager potential paths for new and future content.

The University Libraries Studios Network consists of spaces that provide access to the tools and technologies used in creation processes for all library patrons. All Studios Network positions involve interacting with a wide range of patrons, from those with no experience with technology to those highly familiar with the equipment and software available in the Studios. The Prototyping Studio includes, but is not limited to the following equipment: 3D printers, laser cutter, CNC milling, 3D scanners, and standard hand tools. A full list of equipment can be found at the Prototyping Studio website.

Required Qualifications

• Excellent customer service experience
• Excellent communication skills
• Demonstrated experience with maintaining project life cycles
• Experience teaching others about design, fabrication processes, or engineering techniques, and specialized hardware such as 3D printers, vacuum formers, laser cutters, CNC technologies, or injection molding
• Demonstrated knowledge of CNC, laser cutting, 3D printing hardware and software, vacuum forming, textile work, and microelectronics
• Demonstrated knowledge of maintaining woodworking, fabrication, or other maker adjacent equipment
• Experience in documenting workflows and processes
• Experience in a supervisory role

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or greater in Industrial Design, Engineering, Creative Technologies, or similar fields
• Demonstrated experience with developing creative projects with innovative technologies such as VR/AR or projection mapping
• Demonstrated experience with 3D scanning
• Demonstrated knowledge of emerging technologies and hardware
• Prior hands-on experience with 3D printers, laser cutters, and/or other tools related to small scale manufacturing and fabrication
• Experience using computer aided drafting (CAD) and digital modeling software, such as Solidworks, Blender, and ZBrush
• Previous experience in a library studio or makerspace
• Experience supervising students

Pay Band

3

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Part-time wage

Salary Information

$20.00

Hours per week

Up to 30 hours per week to be determined by the supervisor and successful candidate. Hours to be worked Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00am-5:00pm. Must be able to work during school breaks and summer.

Review Date

11/10/25

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law. Virginia Tech encourages participation in professional development opportunities and shared governance.