Human Resources

Summary

A Research Engineer I with the Keweenaw Research Center coordinates and executes tasks related to electrical engineering projects. Project tasks include design, analysis, purchasing and assembly oversight, laboratory and field tests on ground vehicles and related subsystems. This role will develop electronic systems associated with the aforementioned project tasks and routinely perform computer system modeling and analysis on ground vehicle parts and systems.

The Keweenaw Research Center (KRC) is a multidisciplinary research center of Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) that is active across a broad spectrum of vehicle development. Originally established by the US Army for deep snow mobility testing, KRC has been involved in military, industrial, and commercial vehicle applications for over 60 years.

KRC maintains more than 900 acres of proving grounds, specifically developed for the evaluation of ground vehicle systems. In addition, the KRC possesses the infrastructure and personnel to properly care for and evaluate vehicles and vehicular components.

As part of the University, the KRC is a not-for-profit academic entity with an educational mission. Staffed by full-time personnel, the KRC draws upon the expertise and resources within the University community to provide diverse research and educational opportunities.

Our Mission is to generate and conduct externally funded research in science and engineering in support of the University's overall educational mission.

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan. With more than $100 million in total research expenditures and 18 research centers and institutes, Michigan Tech fosters a world-class and diverse faculty, staff, and student population and is home to more than 7,200 students from 69 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, MTU offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. Our rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure. We are Michigan’s flagship technological university, grounded in and fueled by our shared vision: to improve the quality of life and to promote mutual respect and equity for all people.

Responsibilities 

• Develop, integrate, and maintain electrical and electro-mechanical systems
• Develop custom electronics (e.g. FPGA development, PCB design & assembly)
• Conduct vehicle electrical systems development & integration
• Perform cable harness design and construction
• Identify and direct supplier base used for required purchases
• Develop technical data packages suitable for purchase and assembly
• Develop machine control software (e.g. Embedded firmware and GUI software, actuator & motor controller interfaces, and remote/autonomous system controls)
• Evaluate and develop new technologies
• Perform electrical and electronics troubleshooting
• Perform sensor integration & maintenance
• Conduct laboratory and field tests
• Travel to various locations and arrange/conduct off-site field tests
• Maintain communication with sponsors, governmental and industrial organizational agencies and personnel
• Participate in design activities with other staff members and customers
• Assist in training, supervising and guiding students in above duties
• Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work
• Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives
• Integrate safety practices into daily activities
• Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired
• US citizenship and ability to acquire a US DOD government security clearance
  

Required Experience

• Recent experience in Electrical Engineering and/ or Product Development relevant to the responsibilities listed that was gained while in school or work.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Experience in product development relevant to the essential duties and responsibilities listed
• Experience using personal computers to conduct electronic design and development
• Excellent oral/written communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take the initiative to solve problems
• Capable of effectively communicating across cultural boundaries and working harmoniously with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff
  

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

• The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule or travel based on need.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee works near moving mechanical parts.
• The employee will be working both indoors and outdoors and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; work in high, precarious places, is exposed to fumes or airborne particles, and extreme heat and cold.
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate to very loud.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and taste or smell. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:

• Employee Safety Overview

• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training

• Annual Data Security Training 

• Annual Title IX Training

Background Check:
Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each job responsibility satisfactorily. The required qualifications listed are representative of the education, experience, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech’s hiring process please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or hr-help@mtu.edu.

Other Conditions of Employment:

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Rate/Salary

Negotiable Based on Experience

Title of Position Supervisor

Program Manager

Posting Type

Dependent on Funding

Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)