Position Overview: Newlab is seeking a highly capable, hands-on Product Realization Specialist (PRS) to support and evolve our Digital Fabrication (Digifab) facilities. This role is responsible for maintaining shop infrastructure, supporting member prototyping, and ensuring a safe, high-performing fabrication environment.
This Product Realization Specialist role is a core part of the greater Newlab Product Realization team, which provides the critical infrastructure and support necessary for members to turn ambitious, real-world hardware solutions into physical reality.
You will work across digital fabrication, 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC routing, electronics labs, and general shop infrastructure — supporting startups, engineers, designers, and creative technologists building real-world hardware solutions.
This is a in-person highly hands-on technical role.
Key Responsibilities
Shop Operations & Equipment Maintenance
- Maintain and troubleshoot:
- FDM, SLA, and SLS 3D printers
- CO₂ laser cutter & fiber laser engraver
- CNC router
- Vinyl printer/cutter
- Electronics lab equipment
- Textiles/Sewing Lab
- Perform preventative maintenance and routine safety inspections
- Track repairs, consumables, and equipment performance
- Maintain dust collection, fume extraction, and ESD-safe environments
- Keep shops clean, organized, and production-ready
Member Support & Fabrication Guidance
- Deliver strong, professional customer service in a fast-paced prototyping environment
- Support members with:
- 3D printing workflows and post-processing (SLS/SLA finishing)
- Laser cutting and digital fabrication file preparation
- CNC routing setup and basic CAM workflows
- Electronics assembly and soldering
- General fabrication planning and material selection
- Large Format Printing and vinyl cutting
- Review drawings, CAD files, and fabrication plans
- Lead onboarding trainings and reinforce safe shop practices
- Direct members to outsourced vendors when appropriate
Digital Fabrication & Workflow Support
- Prepare and troubleshoot print files (DXF, STL, STEP, SVG, etc.)
- Understand material behavior across plastics, composites, and metals
- Support job scoping, quoting input, and fabrication planning
- Inspect finished components using appropriate measurement tools
Electronics Lab Support
- Maintain soldering and rework stations
- Support PCB assembly and basic troubleshooting
- Maintain oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, and signal generators
- Ensure ESD best practices are followed
- Assist with integration of electronics into mechanical assemblies
What You Bring
Technical Qualifications
- 3+ Years Experience with digital fabrication tools (3D printing, laser cutting, CNC routing)
- 3+ years Experience maintaining and troubleshooting mechanical and electrical systems
- Proficiency in CAD & CAM workflows in Software like: Fusion360, Solidworks, Onshape, Rhino, ETC.
- Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) for file preparation
- Experience with Electronics Shop tools, equipment, and processes ( Test Equipment, PCB fabrication, Soldering, Controls)
- Understanding of material properties and fabrication constraints
Operations & Systems
- Some experience with shop management, ticketing, or work order systems
- Ability to track maintenance logs, inventory, and workflows digitally
- Familiarity with quoting and job tracking processes
- Proficiency in Google Workspace
Professional Traits
- Strong customer service mindset and ability to support a diverse technical community
- Highly organized and safety-conscious
- Strong troubleshooting instincts
- Comfortable training and mentoring others
- Self-starter who takes ownership of tools and spaces
- Patient, collaborative, and community-oriented
- Able to lift 50 lbs
Nice to Have
- CNC programming experience
- Creative technologist background
- Event production, art fabrication, or experiential build experience
- Strong woodworking or metal fabrication skills
- Experience supporting hardware startups or product teams
- Web design experience (portfolio sites, documentation pages, or light front-end development)
- Experience working in a makerspace or shared lab environment
Compensation:
- $75,000-95,000 USD base
- Comprehensive benefits with no wait period
- Eligible for bonus program
- Paid time off
- Access to Newlab fabrication facilities