Makerspace & Digital Fabrication Specialist - Youth Lab Facilitator

Job Description

Job Description

About Banner Prep

Banner Prep is an alternative school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Banner Prep uses META24, an innovative, therapeutic, project-based learning program that helps students grow through creativity, entrepreneurship, technology, skilled trades, and hands-on learning.

Through the META24 model, students complete real-world projects, explore career pathways, develop workforce skills, and learn within specialized technical labs.

Position Summary

Banner Prep is seeking a hands-on  Makerspace and Digital Fabrication Specialist to operate and lead learning experiences within our META24 Makerspace Lab.

This is a technical, hands-on position—not a traditional classroom teaching role. We are specifically seeking a professional with practical experience operating, maintaining, and teaching others to use makerspace, fabrication, engineering, sewing, textile, or skilled-trade equipment.

The ideal candidate may come from a background in digital fabrication, manufacturing, engineering, robotics, product design, fashion design, sewing, textile production, woodworking, industrial arts, construction, skilled trades, or makerspace operations.

A teaching license is not required. Candidates whose experience is primarily traditional classroom instruction must also demonstrate substantial hands-on experience with the equipment and technologies listed below.

Required Technical Experience

Applicants must have hands-on experience with  at least two of the following:

• 3D printers and slicer software
• Laser cutters or engravers
• CAD or 3D-modeling software
• Robotics systems
• Electronics, circuitry, or microcontrollers
• CNC machines or other digital-fabrication equipment
• Woodworking and power tools
• Sewing, garment construction, patternmaking, or textile fabrication
• Sewing machines, sergers, embroidery machines, or other textile equipment
• Vinyl cutters, heat presses, or similar production equipment
• Product design, prototyping, or fabrication

Applicants should be prepared to describe projects they have personally designed, sewn, built, fabricated, repaired, or supervised. A portfolio, photographs, website, or other examples of completed work are strongly encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Operate and oversee equipment within the META24 Makerspace Lab.
• Teach students how to safely use fabrication equipment, tools, materials, and software.
• Lead hands-on projects involving design, sewing, building, prototyping, testing, troubleshooting, and presentation.
• Develop projects that connect technical skills with entrepreneurship, workforce development, and real-world career pathways.
• Demonstrate fabrication, construction, and production processes.
• Help students turn their ideas into completed products and projects.
• Troubleshoot equipment, software, and project-related technical problems.
• Perform routine equipment setup, calibration, cleaning, and basic maintenance.
• Establish and enforce safety procedures for tools, machinery, textile equipment, and general lab operations.
• Maintain an organized inventory of tools, equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Mentor students and help them develop persistence, confidence, problem-solving abilities, and professional work habits.
• Support student portfolios, product development, and venture-based learning.
• Foster creativity, innovation, collaboration, and independent thinking.
• Use METTIE and other META24 technologies to document student projects, competencies, and growth.
• Collaborate with school staff, industry mentors, families, and community partners.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, and school initiatives.

META24 Mastery Domains

The Lab Facilitator supports student development across the five META24 mastery domains:

• Machine Mastery
• Software Mastery
• Core Mastery
• Skill Mastery
• Workforce Mastery

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated hands-on technical experience with at least two of the technologies or equipment categories listed above.
• Ability to independently operate relevant equipment and explain its safe use to beginners.
• Experience designing, sewing, building, fabricating, repairing, or prototyping physical products or projects.
• Strong understanding of workshop, machinery, equipment, and tool safety.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical problems and guide students through trial and error.
• Experience mentoring, training, supervising, or working with youth or adult learners.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Comfort using technology, digital platforms, and AI-supported learning tools.
• Patience, adaptability, professionalism, and a commitment to supporting young people.
• Ability to work in person at Banner Prep in Milwaukee.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a makerspace, fabrication lab, manufacturing environment, workshop, engineering lab, sewing studio, fashion studio, STEM program, skilled trade, or industrial-arts setting.
• Experience with equipment setup, calibration, maintenance, or basic repair.
• Experience developing hands-on technical projects or training programs.
• Industry credentials, technical certifications, apprenticeships, or relevant professional training.
• Experience with fashion design, garment construction, textile production, embroidery, or product development.
• Experience working with students in alternative education, therapeutic education, workforce development, or youth-development settings.
• Experience in entrepreneurship, product development, or small-scale manufacturing.

Important Applicant Information

A teaching license is  not required . This position is designed for an experienced maker, fabricator, technologist, engineer, fashion or textile professional, craftsperson, tradesperson, or industry professional who enjoys mentoring young people.

Traditional teaching experience without demonstrated makerspace, fabrication, engineering, sewing, technical, or skilled-trade experience will not meet the minimum qualifications for this position.