Research Associate
Job Description
The Space@VT engineering director includes organizing the overall efforts for space flight hardware development at Space@VT. The position involves leading the center’s engineering activities including electrical and mechanical design, fabrication, test, and delivery of required instrumentation. It also includes interfacing with key partners including launch services and subcontractors. Key responsibilities include: leading teams of students and professionals; guiding and documenting the center’s designs, design approaches, and policies; maintaining equipment, inventory, and facilities; and ensuring safety and best practices in using center equipment. Involvement in center projects is at all phases from proposal development through flight. The engineering director works proactively with faculty PIs to estimate in advance scheduled time-charging to PI grants. The Director is encouraged to form partnerships with collaborating institutions and industry.
Important skills include:
- Testing instruments and systems in laboratory vacuum chambers
- LabView programming & debugging experience
- Working aptitude with computer-aided design and modeling tools such as Inventor, Designer, COMSOL, and Eagle PCB-layout
- Experience with thermal vacuum and other s/c environmental testing procedures
- Electrical and/or mechanical design
- Working familiarity with space environment models including MSISE, IGRF, and IRI
- Spacecraft data analysis
Required Qualifications
Successful applicants are expected to have an MS in ECE, AOE, Physics, or a closely related field, experience in space flight hardware development, and some demonstrated management experience. US Citizenship or a demonstrated ability to secure and maintain ITAR waivers is required.
Preferred Qualifications
PhD in ECE, AOE, Physics, or a closely related field
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
Commensurate with experience
Review Date
June 1, 2020
Additional Information
The successful Candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire accommodation please contact the hiring department.
