Senior Design Engineer for Active Learning

Job Summary:

The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) seeks a highly motivated and technically skilled Senior Design Engineer for Active Learning to support and advance hands-on, studio-based, and laboratory-driven engineering education across undergraduate and graduate programs. Reporting to the Director for Design and Fabrication Instruction, this position plays a key role in the support a broad portfolio of programs, including the Master in Design Engineering (MDE), the MS/MBA in Engineering Sciences, undergraduate senior capstone design projects (ES100), and other design, innovation, and interdisciplinary fabrication-based learning courses (ES227, ES55). The Senior Design Engineer will collaborate with faculty, teaching staff, and students to develop experiential learning experiences, mentor multidisciplinary project teams, provide advanced technical guidance, and maintain safe, inclusive, and effective learning environments. The position requires strong engineering expertise, excellent organizational skills, and a commitment to student-centered learning.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Design Education, Curriculum Support, and Student Engagement

• Partner with program directors, faculty and teaching staff to support curriculum development and delivery of MDE, MS/MBA, ES100, and other SEAS design and innovation courses.

• Lead and support design and fabrication workshops and technical training sessions. Develop related instructional materials, technical documentation, and training resources.

• Provide support and oversight of instructional fabrication spaces and design studios as hubs for interdisciplinary collaboration across SEAS and affiliated schools.

• Participate in professional communities and technical conferences to maintain awareness of emerging technologies and practices in design education and instructional fabrication.

Technical Leadership and Projects Mentorship

• Serve as a primary technical resource for MDE, MSMBA and SEAS undergraduate student working on course projects involving embedded systems, mechatronics, robotics, sensing technologies, and physical product development.

• Provide guidance on system architecture, engineering tradeoffs, prototyping strategies, subsystem integration, testing, and technical feasibility. Support engineering decision-making throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Mentor student teams throughout the design process, from concept development and prototyping through validation and final presentation.

• Support projects involving:• Embedded electronics and microcontroller-based systems

• Sensor integration and data acquisition

• Actuation, motor control, and power electronics

• Electromechanical systems and machine design

• Human-machine interfaces and interactive devices

• Rapid prototyping and iterative product development

• Lead technical design reviews and provide feedback on engineering rigor, manufacturability, testing plans, reliability, and performance.

• Foster a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for design, prototyping, fabrication and machining.

• Establish and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for fabrication spaces and equipment.

• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, tools, and methodologies that enhance engineering education and innovation.

• Maintain safe operating practices across machining, electronics, digital fabrication, and prototyping environments.

• Monitor equipment usage and enforce laboratory policies and risk management procedures.

Laboratory Operations

• Foster a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for design, prototyping, fabrication and machining.

• Establish and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for fabrication spaces and equipment.

• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, tools, and methodologies that enhance engineering education and innovation.

• Maintain safe operating practices across machining, electronics, digital fabrication, and prototyping environments.

• Monitor equipment usage and enforce laboratory policies and risk management procedures.

Working Conditions:

The work is performed in settings which may be loud at times. Protective equipment is provided. 

The capacity to adjust to a flexible work schedule is critical. Some student activities organized and managed by this position may occur outside of a typical Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm work schedule, or during weekends. The Senior Design Engineer must be willing and able to be on site to supervise these activities.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires the ability to participate in moving and setup of equipment and supplies (up to 50lbs).