Job Details

Senior Prototype Machinist

Position Number: 6891067
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Engineering - Aerospace

Senior Prototype Machinist

Requisition Number: 69773
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 09-Feb-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

BioServe has an exciting opportunity for a bright and hard-working Senior Prototype Machinist who is comfortable working in a flexible, creative, and scientific environment, and who takes pride in their art. You must possess excellent mechanical aptitude, a positive attitude toward work, and a willingness to learn. You will be working on a small team, so the ability to excel with minimal supervision is crucial. If you have a passion for machining and embrace quality craftsmanship as a standard, we would like to talk with you! The anticipated start date is February 23rd for the most qualified candidate.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

BioServe Space Technologies is a Center within the Aerospace Engineering and Sciences Department at the University of Colorado Boulder. For over 25 years, the Center has specialized in conducting microgravity life science research and designing and developing space flight hardware to support that research.

BioServe designs and manufactures space flight hardware that can be operated on any launch vehicle as well as the International Space Station (ISS). We share a 10,000 square foot machine shop facility with the Aerospace engineering department which is located on the ground floor of the aerospace building. It is a full-function machine shop with capabilities for flight-qualified hardware production and for making prototype parts. The machining capabilities at our disposal include: four Fryer 3-axis CNC mills with Siemens controllers, three 2.5-axis mills, two Harding manual tool room lathes, drill press, sheet metal forming tools, and part finishing which includes ultrasonic cleaning, bead blasting, and tumble deburring with a dedicated part inspection area with height gauge, gauge blocks/pins, digital calipers/micrometers and a flight qualified material tracking system.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Program, set up, and manufacture low volume precision parts for critical applications with close attention to detail with minimal supervision.
Set up and operate 3-axis Fryer CNC milling machine and Haas CNC lathe.
Perform programming tasks using HSMWorks cam (or equivalent).
Maintain version control of CAM files.
Set up and operate Hardinge tool room lathe.
Set up and operate vertical milling machines.
Plan and successfully machine parts to precision tolerances.
Design and fabricate basic holding fixtures.
Maintain high quality tooling organization and usage flow.
Use inspection equipment to check parts.
May make suggestions relating to the machining, fabrication, and inspection of intricate machine jobs.
Make time estimates to aid project planning.
May assist leads and supervisors in manufacturing process planning.
Read and interpret engineering drawings to ANSI Y14.5 standards.
Assist in managing machine shop facility and infrastructure.
Perform preventative maintenance tasks in the shop.
Maintain a clean and organized working area.
Occasionally oversee student workers.

What You Should Know

This appointment is not able to support H-1B or J-1 visa sponsorships.
Full-time position, working 8am-5pm Monday through Friday.
This is an on-site position.

What We Can Offer

The starting salary range for this position is $70,000-$85,000 annually.
No relocation assistance will be offered.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Bachelor's degree and experience working in a prototype machinist environment.
Possess basic computer knowledge (operating Windows, Microsoft Office, CAD/CAM).
Experience using vacuum fixture technology.
Must be able to effectively participate in a team environment with members from science and engineering disciplines.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials as individual files:

Cover Letter
Resume/CV

Please email one letter of recommendation to Senior HR Coordinator, Melissa Flores, at aerohrhelp@colorado.edu at any time during the job search process. If you are selected for an interview and your letter of recommendation has not yet been received by the Aerospace Department, a member of the hiring committee or the Aerospace HR department will contact you directly to collect the letter.

For full consideration, please apply by February 9, 2026.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Senior-Prototype-Machinist/69773