Graduate Administrative Assistant - Texas Inventionworks, Cockrell School of Engineering

About this role

Job Posting Title: Graduate Administrative Assistant - Texas Inventionworks, Cockrell School of Engineering ---- Hiring Department: Cockrell School of Engineering ---- Position Open To: All Applicants ---- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 20 ---- FLSA Status: Non-Exempt from FLSA ---- Earliest Start Date: Immediately ---- Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2027 ---- Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS ---- Job Details: General Notes The Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin has been a global leader in technology innovation and engineering education for over a century. It is a top-10 engineering school and the No. 1 program in Texas that includes 11 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs, over 20 research centers and a faculty community that boasts one of the highest number of National Academy of Engineering members among U.S. universities, Texas Engineering has launched some of the nation’s most accomplished leaders and pioneered world-changing solutions in virtually every industry, from space exploration to energy, manufacturing and health care. Situated in the heart of Austin — named “America’s Coolest City” by Expedia and “The Best Place to Live in the U.S.” by U.S. News and World Report — the Cockrell School embodies the city’s innovative spirit. Major companies with Austin campuses, such as Dell, National Instruments, Apple, IBM, Samsung, Google and many others, recruit Cockrell School students, launching thousands of successful careers.

Texas Inventionworks, based in the Cockrell School of Engineering, is a vibrant hands-on education program, fabrication resource and innovation hub. The Texas Inventionworks staff is dedicated to fostering open exploration, hands-on experience, cross-disciplinary collaboration and enabling students to take a shot at solving real problems. In addition to online training, support for curriculum development and guidance for product development, the program operates more than 25,000sf of lab space divided into 22 labs that include 3D printing, laser cutting, wood and metal working, electronics, testing and other capabilities. There are 6 professional staff members and a highly-empowered 65-member student staff who establish a vibrant, collaborative culture and peer-to-peer learning for the roughly 3,500 students who visit the facilities each year. The vision is to be a design, fabrication and innovation ecosystem at UT Austin that empowers students from all backgrounds to easily learn, collaborate, build and invent together.

Position Purpose The Graduate Administrative Assistant plays a key role in supporting the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of Texas Inventionworks (TIW), a hands-on university makerspace. This work includes supporting purchasing workflows, managing inventory for the internal materials store, and coordinating scheduling and communications. The role collaborates closely with professional staff and student employees across these areas. As a member of the TIW team, this position shares responsibility for maintaining efficient administrative systems that keep the organization running smoothly. This position offers graduate students meaningful, real-world administrative experience at TIW, with close mentorship from professional staff, flexible scheduling to support academic commitments, and opportunities for expanded responsibilities and professional development over time.

Responsibilities • Support purchasing workflows, including order tracking, vendor communication, and shipment receiving and distribution

• Manage inventory for the internal materials store, including stock levels, pricing, and product listings

• Operate and maintain the materials store point-of-sale system

• Coordinate communications between students, staff, and faculty

• Support outreach efforts and connect students and campus partners with TIW resources

• Other functions as assigned

Shared Responsibilities • Support coordination of facilities access, workspace assignments, and storage spaces

• Track tasks and projects and contribute to building workflows using work process management software.

• Support calendar management and event coordination

Required Qualifications • Currently enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Texas at Austin

• Clear and positive communication skills

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

• Responsible, dependable, and punctual

• Strong attention to detail

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel for data entry, tracking, and reporting

• Curiosity and resourcefulness, with a willingness to learn new tools and workflows.

Preferred Qualifications • A valid Texas driver's license and acceptable driving record

• Experience with Monday.com or similar project and workflow management platforms

• Experience with Shopify or similar inventory and point-of-sale systems

• Experience working with students in an educational or university environment

• Interest in or experience with academic makerspaces, including familiarity with hand tools, 3D printers, sewing equipment, laser cutters, or similar fabrication tools

Salary Range $22.00 per hour based on experience.

Working Conditions • Work is performed in a variety of fabrication labs, such as a wood shop, machine shop or 3D printing lab. There will also be work in a standard office environment.

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

• May work around electrical and mechanical hazards

• May work around chemicals

• Security Sensitive; criminal background check will be conducted

• Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment will be furnished as needed

Career Competencies • Gather and apply relevant information and data to support decisions and operations

• Exercise sound reasoning to analyze issues, make decisions, and solve problems

• Demonstrate personal accountability, effective work habits, and the ability to manage time, workload, and collaborative relationships

• Interact respectfully w

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