Job Title Senior Research Engineer (Level I, II, III, IV) Agency Texas A&M Engineering Department Deputy Director-Ambrose Proposed Minimum Salary Commensurate Job Location Bryan, Texas Job Type Staff Job Description Why work for Texas A&M Engineering? Who we are Texas A&M Engineering is a large employer in the great and growing cities of Bryan/College Station, offering thousands of career opportunities in a wide variety of fields. We are deeply committed to recruiting and retaining a talented workforce that embraces our core values of respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity, and service. Texas A&M Engineering offers competitive salaries, full benefits, an extensive support network, and above all, an enriching and highly collaborative working community that is deeply passionate about our vision for higher education, research, and public service. Job Description Purpose: A Senior Robotics Research Engineer will independently evaluate, select, and apply standard engineering research techniques, procedures, and criteria to develop terrestrial and space robots. Robotics Research Engineers will perform engineering research, design, and integration involving a mix of electrical, mechanical, and software engineering on these robots. Senior Robotics Research Engineers are given a large amount of autonomy and are expected to work in multidisciplinary teams consisting of undergraduate and graduate students, professors, and other full-time professionals. The Robotics and Automation Design (RAD) Lab is located at the RELLIS campus at Texas A&M University. Our lab has many projects in collaboration with private companies and the military. Our lab operates mainly out of the Research Integration Center (RIC) at RELLIS where we have access to a machine shop, outdoor testing facilities (Innovation Proving Grounds (IPG), and high bays for seamless robotic integration. Responsibilities: + Leads team research activities involving faculty, professional staff, and students. + Designs, analyzes, builds, and tests special-purpose equipment and/or instrumentation for robotics research. + Designs and performs engineering experiments, tests, and data collection to ensure data integrity, quality control, and protocol compliance. + Plans, schedules, conducts, or coordinates detailed phases of the work of a project of moderate scope + Maintains currency of knowledge with respect to relevant state-of-the-art technology, equipment, and/or systems. + Identifies grant/project extensions and pursues project funding. May initiate new project concepts and seek funding. Develops technical proposals and makes presentations to potential customers/grant sponsors. + Applies an analytical approach toward development of a solution to a variety of problems. + Demonstrates and applies thorough understanding of engineering methods, research protocols, assessment instruments, and data interpretation. + Manages activities of engineering functions and encourages interchange of information, ideas, and techniques among various engineering fields. + Manages the creation of technical reports and presentations. Presents results of research projects to internal and external stakeholders. + Work results in the development of new or refined equipment, materials, processes, products, and/or scientific methods and approaches. + Other duties as assigned. Qualifications* We are recruiting for a level I, II, III, or IV Senior Research Engineering to support the Robotics and Automation Design (RAD) Lab. Minimum qualifications for a Senior Research Engineer I: + Master’s degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience. + Six years of related experience. Minimum qualifications for a Senior Research Engineer II: + Master’s degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience. + Eight years of related experience. Minimum qualifications for a Senior Research Engineer III: + Master’s degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience. + Ten years of related experience. Minimum qualifications for a Senior Research Engineer IV: + Master’s degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience. + Twelve years of related experience. Work Location: + RELLIS Campus – Bryan, TX. A well-qualified candidate would demonstrate experience in at least one of the following areas: Mechanical: + Knowledge of computer-aided drafting techniques and design with SOLIDWORKS. + Experience applying DFM and DFA techniques. + Experience with GD&T for mechanical drawings and design. + Experience in designing machined parts for spaceflight qualification and flight testing. + Experience assembling complex robotic systems. Electrical: + Knowledge of electronics, PCB design, and Altium design software. + Familiarity with VHDL, FPGA, and high-speed circuit design. + Experience integrating robotic cable harnesses into complex dynamic systems. + Experience interfacing with various microcontrollers and sensors. + Experience in designing circuits for spaceflight qualification and flight testing. Software: + Knowledge of software, including ROS/ROS2, C, C++, Python, VxWorks, and Git. + Experience with embedded code on mechatronic systems. + Experience using operating systems (e.g., Linux, VxWorks) and communications protocols (e.g., UART, SPI, I2C, TCP, EtherCAT) to interface with spaceflight hardware. + Experience performing software integration on complex robotic systems. + Experience in designing software for spaceflight qualification and flight testing, including applying validation and verification techniques. Research: + Knowledge of relevant state-of-the-art technological developments, equipment, systems, and/or trends in robotics. + Ability to draw conclusions and develop solutions based on research data and findings. + Ability to design, organize, and coordinate scientific and/or engineering research projects. + Experience directing small teams of junior researchers for focused development and implementation. + Experience collaborating with individuals at all levels of the organization including faculty, research engineers and stakeholders to identify end-user requirements and specifications. Texas A&M Engineering provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to: + Competitive health benefits. + Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays. + Vision, Dental, Life, and Long-Term Disability insurance options. + Teachers Retirement System of Texas (TRS), a defined benefit retirement plan with 8% employer contribution. + Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Deferred Account 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation Program 457(b). + Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses + Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional development opportunities. + Tuition assistance https://engineering.tamu.edu/information/esac/educational-assistance-programs.html + Wellness program release time offered to employees to promote work/life balance. Helpful Applicant Information Required Materials for Application: + Resume/CV + Three work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor/former supervisor. + Letter of interest Please include portfolio or examples of your previous work which can include the following: + Computer-Aided Design (CAD) skills in SOLIDWORKS or similar + C++ or Python development using the Robot Operating System (ROS) framework + Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design skills in Altium or similar + Research related to identification, modeling, or control of a non-linear system + Successful design, build, and testing of a robotic system Compensation Philosophy: + Recruit and retain high-performing workforce through competitive compensation and career development including career pathing, coaching and skills development. + Offer total rewards, flexible benefits, professional development, performance recognition and work-life balance. + Ensure resources are readily available and utilized to attract and retain the highest quality researchers, faculty, and staff. Employment Eligibility Verification + If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in delay of start date. All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.