RESEARCH & DEV ENGINEER I - ROBOTICS

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Pratt School of Engineering

The Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University is one of the fastest rising, highly ranked engineering schools in the nation. The school consists of four departments with 130 tenure-track faculty members, 1250 undergraduate students, 1400 master’s students, and 600 PhD students. Housed within a university renowned for its programs in the liberal arts, medicine, business and law, Pratt prepares future engineering leaders to address complex challenges with solutions that take into account the complexities and nuances of implementing them. Pratt takes a whole-student approach to education, ensuring students are well supported throughout their journeys and graduate with the grit and determination required to persevere in their careers and their lives. Pratt is dedicated to the values of diversity, equitability, inclusivity and community in its pursuit of knowledge and service to society.

Occupational Summary

Provide basic professional engineering services by performing a variety of technical duties involved in planning, design, construction, alteration and testing related to electrical, electronic, and/or mechanical engineering fields according to established procedures or instructions in support of research and engineering education activities. Supervise, assist, and ensure safety of student engineering project groups in the robotics and autonomy spaces. Manage, operate, and maintain robotics equipment.  Train others on proper use of machinery and software; develop and implement inventory and scheduling systems.

Work Performed
 

20%

Perform basic professional engineering duties according to established procedures or instructions to design, develop, construct, and test specialized robotics instruments, equipment, apparatus and systems for the development of engineering projects, the solution of engineering problems, and other research and development activities. 

15%

Provide engineering assistance, instruction, and consultation to faculty, student researchers and project teams, and to staff members for resolution of special problems; demonstrate techniques for operating specialized robotics equipment. Provide electronic and computer support for interfacing analog experiments with digital computers; integrate analog and digital hardware with computer software in system development. 
 

20%

Provide engineering support for students and faculty in multi-disciplinary engineering school programs in Robotics and Autonomy, in classroom projects, certificate programs, and research activities.  This position is part of a growing team of laboratory staff who work collaboratively within the MEMS Department and with the Department's Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement Committee.  Our lab team works across multiple buildings on and off campus to support teaching, research and design/fabrication spaces, etc.

15%

Provide guidance for students in additive manufacturing/3D printing techniques electronics and micro-controllers, software operating systems (including ROS), computational skills (Python, Matlab, etc), and manage use of several varieties of related prototyping machines.

5%

Recommend and procure electrical, mechanical, robotics, video and optical equipment appropriate for laboratory or project needs; maintain records of expenditures.

5%

Perform routine maintenance on components, apparatus and systems; troubleshoot problems and perform repair work as needed. Manage laboratory assistants who will aid in performing laboratory work with direction and supervision.

10%

Stay current with technology and training, engage in professional development to enhance knowledge of physical and digital tools, in the area of robotics and autonomy.

10%

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein. Provide engineering support as needed in design and build projects for departmental research and teaching needs.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified. 

Required Qualifications at this Level
 

Education/Training:    Work requires a thorough knowledge of the principles of engineering and related natural sciences acquired through completion of a Bachelor's degree program in an Engineering, Engineering science, or a related natural science such as Physics or Chemistry. Due to professional exemption, equivalent experience cannot be substituted for bachelor's degree. 

 

Experience:    This position is entry-level, so no employment experience needed.  Education, research, and project experience in computation and programming, software development (ROS), and microelectronics/microcontrollers.will be strongly considered. Teaching assistant experience in relevant courses a plus.

 

Skills:    Operation of electromechanical equipment described above along with general fabrication techniques.  Programming in Python, Matlab, and/or related languages.
 

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunities without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values. 

 

Essential Physical Job Functions
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Work requires a thorough knowledge of the principles of engineering and related natural sciences acquired through completion of a Bachelor's degree program in an Engineering science or a related natural science such as Physics or Chemistry. Due to professional exemption, equivalent experience cannot be substituted for a bachelor's degree.

Experience

None required. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.