High School Mechanical Engineering Coach bei Dalton School

Salary Range: $25/hour - $35/hour. Placement in the range is commensurate with experience. 

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

The Dalton School, a progressive K-12 gender-inclusive school in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, is consistently recognized as one of the preeminent independent day schools in the nation. Known for its child-centered approach and an exceptional, inspiring faculty, Dalton enrolls over 1,300 students with approximately 350 faculty and staff. Guided by the Dalton Plan, the foundation of a Dalton education, our faculty meets each student’s evolving needs, interests, and abilities, and fosters diversity as an integral part of school life. Dalton challenges each student to develop intellectual independence, creativity, curiosity, and a sense of responsibility toward others both within the School and in the broader community.

We are seeking two dedicated Mechanical Engineering Coaches to support our comprehensive high school robotics program for the 2025-26 academic year. One coach will serve as the Mechanical Lead for our FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) program, while the other will serve as the Mechanical Lead for our FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) program. Both coaches will work in close partnership to support all robotics programs and provide mutual assistance across teams as needed. 

This position offers the opportunity to mentor students across multiple FIRST Robotics programs while supporting Dalton's commitment to innovative STEM education. Our high school robotics program includes five FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) teams and one FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) team, with approximately 10-12 students per team. The FTC season runs from September through April, while FRC off-season activities occur from September through December, with competition season from January through April. The coach will work closely with the Engineering Chair and collaborate with colleagues across our comprehensive robotics program, which includes middle school FLL and RoboSoccer teams. 

Responsibilities:

• Serve as Mechanical Lead for either FRC or FTC teams while providing collaborative support across all robotics programs.
• Coach and mentor high school students in the practical application of mechanical design, fabrication, and engineering principles across both FTC and FRC teams as needed.
• Collaborate closely with the other Mechanical Engineering Coach and the Engineering Chair to ensure comprehensive team preparation across all programs.
• Enable student proficiency with advanced design and fabrication tools, including CAD software (Fusion360, AutoCAD, OnShape, TinkerCAD), CNC milling machines, laser cutters, and 3D printers.
• Lead students through strategic competition planning and execution, teamwork skills, and project management practices for both FTC and FRC competitions.
• Assist with Summer programming, including both internal team development activities and external-facing community outreach programs.
• Maintain comprehensive inventory management and coordinate with the Engineering Chair on supply ordering and program needs.
• Support weekend competitions and travel as needed throughout the fall and spring semesters for both FTC and FRC events.
• Provide additional support to middle school FLL and RoboSoccer programs as needed.
• Advance Dalton's commitment to equity and inclusion through mentorship and by fostering an inclusive, high-performance engineering culture.
• Support the mission of The Dalton School and the Dalton Plan.

 Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field preferred.
• Strong background in mechanical design, fabrication, and CAD software.
• Experience with machining, including CNC operation, laser cutting, and 3D printing.
• Demonstrated success in coaching or mentoring high school students in technical disciplines.
• FIRST Tech Challenge or FIRST Robotics Competition alumni status preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to equitable and inclusive practices in STEM education.
• Outstanding mentoring and technical communication abilities with the ability to work across multiple teams simultaneously.
• Availability for a 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM schedule up to five days per week during the competition season, plus weekend competitions.
• Flexibility, enthusiasm, and commitment to student development in competitive robotics across both FTC and FRC programs

The Dalton School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, ethnic origin, age, physical disability, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by applicable law in the administration of our educational policies, hiring policies, admissions policies, financial aid programs, athletics, and other school-administered programs.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to the employment portal using the following link - https://www.dalton.org/employment