IDEA Lab Research Engineer

IDEA Lab Research Engineer

The Innovation and Design Engineering Acceleration IDEA Lab was created in 2021 to serve critical needs in the research and education missions of the University of Pittsburgh and the Swanson School of Engineering SSOE. It acts as a service center for researchers from across the university to meet needs in designing, fabricating, and further developing hardware, software, and mobile application prototypes in support of research, including tools needed to perform the research itself as well as prototypes that meet commercialization milestones stemming from translational research. Furthermore, the lab serves as a living experiential laboratory in which students can explore innovation and entrepreneurship through internships and volunteer project work XProjects, and students are encouraged to become entrepreneurial leads on spin-out technologies. The lab is directed by a faculty member in the SSOE Innovation & Entrepreneurship I&E Program and is managed by staff members who complete projects and guide and train students to work alongside them. To date, over 15 interns have assisted in the completion of over 30 design and prototyping projects in support of research, and the lab has hosted approximately 40, 8-week XProjects fast-paced design and build sprints involving more than 60 student volunteers working in diverse teams. The lab excels at co-design, human-centered design, and design thinking approaches and implements those ideas across a wide range of fabrication domains including additive manufacturing, soft materials molding and forming, classical machining, electronics, embedded microcontrollers, software, and mobile applications.

Job Summary

Designs, fabricates, and maintains research instrumentation and develops conceptual project design and instrumentation, software programs, and data collection methods.Assists with conducting research. Oversees research projects and writes and presents results reports at conferences.

Essential Functions

This person will work be responsible for completion of projects in the Innovation and Design Engineering Acceleration IDEA Lab. Project work will include defining scope of work documents for projects; managing project work; communicating with clients on goals, progress, and deliverables; advising student teams on the completion of design and prototyping XProjects; and working alongside student interns, staff, and faculty in completing IDEA Projects. Specific functions required for completing projects include a variety of fabrication methods, human-centered design, computer aided design, discovery and development of design specifications, use of hand tools and prototyping equipment, fabrication and debugging of basic electronics, and basic programming.

Physical Effort

Most work is done in a laboratory environment and involves moving about the lab and working at a bench for extended periods completing hands-on tasks; use of hand tools, power tools, and general prototyping and fabrication equipment; occasional lifting of up to approximately 25 lbs.

The University of Pittsburgh is committed to championing all aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within our community. This commitment is a fundamental value of the University and is crucial in helping us advance our mission, which includes attracting and retaining diverse workforces. We will continue to create and maintain an environment that allows individuals to discover, belong, contribute, and grow, while honoring the experiences, perspectives, and unique identities of all.

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EOE, including disability/vets.

Assignment Category: Full-time regular
Job Classification: Staff.Research Engineer III
Job Family: Research
Job Sub Family: Research Engineering
Campus: Pittsburgh
Minimum Educ tion Level Required: Bachelors Degree
Minimum Years of Experience Required: 2
Will this position accept substitution in lieu of education or experience: Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement. Work Schedule: In agreement with manager Work Arrangement: In agreement with manager
Hiring Range: $65,000.00 to $70,000.00
RelocationOffered: No
Visa Sponsorship Provided: No
Background Check: For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check
Child Protection Clearances: Not Applicable
Required Documents: Resume
Optional Documents: Not Applicable
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