Research Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Department

PSD Staff

About the Department

The Engineering and Technical Support Group (ETSG) provides engineering and technical support to University research groups and assists the University’s educational mission by providing technical assistance and empowering learning opportunities for students. Projects that the group is currently working on include particle detectors, astronomical telescopes, synchrotron light source beamlines, and high-altitude balloon gondolas. The ETSG is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive climate which encourages teamwork, open communication, and sharing of ideas.

Job Summary

This position serves as the lead engineer and manager for the Engineering and Technical Support Group (ETSG) which supports the research mission of the Physical Sciences Division at The University of Chicago. The ETSG provides a wide and flexible range of services to research groups including mechanical design, analysis, part and material sourcing, technical coordination, and project management. Supervises the work of the engineers and prioritizes projects. Ensures that the core facility supports the Division’s teaching mission by helping students and postdocs with the engineering work encountered in their projects. Ensures that the ETSG meets its financial targets. Works closely with faculty leadership to ensure that the engineers and technicians maintain the skills, professional development and safety training to provide outstanding support for faculty research.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the manager and lead engineer, supervising the engineers and technicians within the ETSG and providing performance feedback, professional development guidance, and support.
• Directs the development of mechanical designs in support of research activities at the University.
• Determines scope and type of engineering analysis needed and provides guidance to assess structural and thermal performance of designs.
• Develops, implements, and optimizes engineering procedures, workflows, and technical processes to improve operational efficiency and research quality.
• Advises principal investigators with research planning. Develops and maintains formal project schedules and budgetary estimates.
• Oversees project efforts in accordance with commitments and priorities, and updates leadership of any changes, deviations, and/or corrections.
• Prioritizes faculty requests, projects, and tasks within the Core, ensuring that engineers have guidance on how to prioritize their work.
• Ensures the team’s documentation of technical work including formal drawings, reports, etc. is compliant.
• Serves as the key collaborator with the Budget and Finance team to ensure that appropriate and timely billing for ETSG services is completed.
• Monitors and oversees the budget and works with the Faculty Director to ensure that the ETSG meets its financial goals.
• Oversees the billing and the procurement of parts and materials. Advises on the procurement and usage of 3D printers and other rapid-fabrication equipment.
• Provides design services for research projects, including consulting with faculty and technical staff on the design and fabrication of experimental set-ups, estimating costs, time, and equipment required to meet project objectives, and design specification.
• Works with University and/or outside shops as necessary to determine best methods for fabrication.
• Manages engineering professionals, reviewing their work and authorizing their activities. Based on department strategy, creates plans to design new systems and/or of electric or electronic components, improve production techniques, and develop test procedures.
• Monitors technology trends, human resource needs, and market demand to plan projects.
• Confers with management to determine engineering feasibility and cost effectiveness of systems upgrades and equipment.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or closely related field.

Experience:

- Engineering and design or other technical work, preferably in a university or national laboratory setting.
- Designing and building scientific apparatus.
- Project management experience.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

- Knowledge of laboratory operations and/or procedures; plus, principles and procedures of scientific research.
- Strong background in modern 3D CAD software, such as Inventor.
- Working knowledge of thermal and/or mechanical finite element analysis software.

Preferred Competencies

- Support several simultaneous projects, balancing time according to set expectations and priorities.
- Lead, inspire, and influence others to achieve a common goal.
- Diverse, adaptable skill set to solve complex technical problems.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and demonstrated ‘engineering judgement.’
- Attention to detail.
- Identify and implement creative solutions to technical research problems with atypical and challenging constraints.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Familiarity with modern automated fabrication processes.
- Make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.
- Strong interpersonal, and oral and written communication skills to work effectively with a wide range of customers in a diverse community.

Working Conditions

- Office work setting approximately 70% of the time.
- Laboratory work setting approximately 30% of the time.

Application Documents

- Resume/CV (required)
- Cover Letter (preferred)
- References Contact Information (3) (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$108,000.00 - $118,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.