SEEKING AN EXPERIENCED MACHINE REPAIR MANAGER

Location: Inner East Side Portland
Type: Part-Time, hourly
Pay rate: $27.50/hr.

About Us:
Past Lives needs your skills and experience to maintain equipment in our 26,000 sq. ft. Makerspace. We're seeking a Machine Repair Manager to join our team and ensure our wood and metal shop equipment runs smoothly.

Working with us is more than just a job—it’s an opportunity to join a caring and motivated community. We collaborate on new ways to support makers and artists in pursuing their career, entrepreneurial, and creative goals. And we can’t do it without YOU!

Position Overview:
The Machine Repair Manager will keep all machines in the wood and metal shops and specific facility equipment in safe working condition. This role requires a proactive maintenance, repair, and resource management approach, focusing on minimizing downtime. Our members pay for access to equipment; it is the Machine Repair Manager’s responsibility to ensure that equipment is ready to use. 

Key Responsibilities:

  • Maintain and repair machines in the wood and metal shops, ensuring they operate as promised.

  • Manage and coordinate volunteer labor for machine repairs and maintenance tasks.

  • Oversee the upkeep of facility equipment, including forklifts and compressed air systems.

  • Develop and adhere to a machine repair budget, ensuring efficient use of resources.

  • Diagnose machine issues based on symptoms, source required parts, and perform necessary repairs.

  • Communicate with management, coworkers, and customers about machine statuses and repairs.

  • Keep inventory systems up to date to track tool and part availability.

  • Collaborate with the Equipment Manager and Guild Leads on integrating newly acquired donation machines.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

  • Proven experience in repairing mechanical systems, with a preference for wood and metal shop equipment; experience with other mechanical systems (e.g., automotive repair) is also applicable.

  • Familiarity with electrical systems, including the use of multimeters and crimped connections.

  • Strong diagnostic skills to identify and resolve equipment issues efficiently.

  • Ability to learn about machines from shop repair manuals, parts diagrams when available, and other sources when shop manuals are unavailable.

  • Ability to manage time and resources effectively while supporting volunteer labor.

  • Excellent communication skills to provide clear directions and support safety concerns.

  • Self-motivated with the ability to prioritize tasks and projects.

Additional Information:

  • You will play a vital role in ensuring our facilities maintain operational standards while working collaboratively with team members.

How to Apply:
Interviews are being scheduled now. If you are passionate about machinery and want to contribute to a thriving community, attach a cover letter and resume and email to hr@pastlives.space to be considered for the position.

PLEASE add “Machinist Position” to your email’s subject line and title your attachments with your name first (e.g., “Jenny Jones - Resume” and “Jenny Jones - Cover Letter”) so they can be easily sorted.

Thanks! We look forward to hearing from you!

Past Lives Makerspace is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. None of our employees ever make less than $20/ hr. We give raises quarterly based on performance. Currently, we do not offer benefits, but we’re working to change that.