Art and Product Realization Manager - NewLab (Detroit, MI)

Newlab is seeking applicants for our Product Realization team in Detroit focused on bringing hardware products into the world. This person will report to the Director of Product Realization and work with other Product Realization staff to run the day to day of the prototyping shops serving Newlab members.

Target Salary for Role – $65-85k

To view this job and apply, click here.

In addition, this position will coordinate artist access to the shops offered to current artists in residence. This person is passionate about supporting innovation and creativity in new media, always learning new fabrication skills and techniques, and is  committed to creating shop spaces where all members feel invited and empowered to leverage the tools.

Responsibilities

• Create an inclusive culture of creativity, learning, and safety.

  • Implement Learning Management System

    • Provide input to help create high level onboarding workshops (typically tool or concept specific), as well as new workshops as needed based on intended curriculum and implementation.

    • Instruct Shop Orientation, Safety and Basic Usage workshops, and Skill Building workshops
      

• Support the Newlab community in art & product realization at Newlab Detroit. Be the point person for Artists as they navigate Newlab’s shop offerings.

  • Support the shop user community with advice, answers, technical suggestions, and other expertise for fabrication and prototyping.

  • Ability to support members in the workshop 1:1 when necessary.

  • Connect artists with other areas of Newlab outside the shops.

  • Flexibility in supporting additional artists needs as they use the space.

  • Job based fabrication/machine operation, for Newlab member community (for hire) 

• Maintain awareness of members’ use of the space. Build relationships with the shop user community to know what is happening in the shop spaces.

  • Checking in with shop users, their needs and projects, and working with them and the rest of the shop team to ensure proper use of the shops.

  • Being able to guide members towards equipment and tooling offerings and the required training for access as projects warrant it. 

• Maintain systems on a day to day basis and improve these systems as necessary.

  • Cleaning and maintaining most tools and facilities within the Prototyping Labs.

    • Keeping inventory of hand tools, replacing/tracking down tools as needed.

    • Keeping and tracking equipment maintenance logs

    • Tracking part replacements and tool repairs

    • Keeping track of consumables, and restocking them as necessary

    • Tracking the state of the fume and dust extractors and vacuums. Replacing filters and vacuum bags as necessary. 

  • Working with other Product Realization staff to design, build, and implement things which upgrade the ergonomics of the facilities (i.e. workbenches, cubbies, displays/holders for tools)

Qualifications and Skills

Requirements

• Work History

  • At least 5 years of experience in a shared shop environment supporting members/ students with various levels of  technical skill and process understanding

  • Experience coordinating/working with artist support/residency/lecture programs

  • Hands on expertise in at least one of the following shop areas, experience or familiarity with all of them:

    • Wood, Metal (machining, welding, sheet metal), CNC Machining, Casting, Finishing, Electronics, Rapid Prototyping, 3D Printing, Textiles, and Robotics

  • Experience with physical prototyping, digital design, design for manufacturing, or other production related processes.

  • Familiarity with best practices in shops that support the use of plastics, metals, engineered and solid woods, textiles, and finishes.

  • Shop Training within a shared shop environment.

    • Experience  teaching machine training workshops within areas of expertise.

    • Experience designing skill building classes and workshop takeaway projects.

• Work Style

• Highly effective communicator and collaborative team player

• Ability to work with creative people from different backgrounds and experience levels

• Embrace flexibility and adaptability as the team learns through prototyping and playtesting, adjusting project plans as needed.

• Demonstrates a desire to constantly improve and adapt to new technologies.

• Independent with ability to follow along with instruction manuals, exploded view drawings, and troubleshoot basic technical issues

• Interest in learning about various tools and their uses outside their area of expertise.

• Highly organized, task oriented

Nice to haves

• Familiarity with spaces that support physical prototyping, research, and innovation

• An active studio practice and member of the art community in Detroit

• Experience handling art, hanging shows, curating exhibitions

• Experience with CAD/CAM software and digital fabrication workflows

• Experience with both traditional and digital fabrication techniques

Compensation

• Target Salary for Role – $65-85k

• Benefits package – fully covered Medical & Dental Plan Options as well as Buy Up plans

• Shop access during off hours upon completion of onboarding training