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Engineer I at Iowa State University in Ames, IA
Skills
Job Description
Position Title:
Engineer IJob Group:
Professional & ScientificRequired Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degreePreferred Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in EngineeringExperience working in a machine shop
Experience working with Computer Aided Drawing (CAD)
Experience performing reviews of engineering drawings with a focus on proper GD&T and manufacturability in an educational environment.
Experience consulting on a wide variety engineering designs including ideating, manufacturability, feasibility, costing, and functionality.
Job Description:
The Engineer I plays a key role in supporting both research and teaching laboratories by prototyping, developing, and refining mechanical and electrical equipment-based experiments. This position provides technical consulting to faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, and student organizations while managing, maintaining, and optimizing the use of laboratory equipment. The role applies a broad working knowledge of engineering principles to help transform conceptual ideas into practical, high-quality solutions that enhance learning, research, and hands-on experimentation across the department.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working in labs, building and refining equipment systems, and mentoring developing engineers. You’ll find variety in your daily work, opportunities to grow your technical skills, and a supportive environment that values creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Joining this team means making a real impact on student success and helping advance innovative engineering research and teaching!
Key Responsibilities
- Prototype, develop, and refine mechanical and electrical experiments to support advanced engineering concepts.
- Provide technical consulting to faculty, postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students, and student organizations regarding equipment selection, design, setup, and research applications.
- Manage and maintain laboratory equipment used for research and teaching, including scheduling usage and optimizing student workflow.
- Supervise setup, maintenance, and safe operation of laboratory equipment such as lathes, mills, 3D printers, mechatronics systems, welding equipment, CNC machines, robotics, data acquisition tools, casting/foundry equipment, CMM, and metrology tools.
- Design electrical and mechanical equipment setups and experiments for teaching labs to demonstrate engineering principles.
- Train faculty, postdocs, students, and teaching assistants on proper equipment use, safety protocols, and engineering concepts.
- Research, evaluate, select, and acquire equipment and integrated systems based on application, design, cost, and installation requirements.
- Perform engineering calculations, investigations, and analyses in support of assigned projects.
- Prepare cost estimates, procurement documentation, equipment specifications, and related requests.
- Collaborate with faculty to support development of lab curriculum, experiment design, and instructional methods.
- Support quality control testing and calibration needs for research and teaching applications.
- Manage service-center functions including design advice, equipment applications, billing, and training related to new teaching lab equipment.
- Provide engineering assistance and follow-up on defined problems, working collaboratively with more experienced engineers as needed.
- Evaluate new equipment and experiments for potential use in teaching labs and research spaces.
- Oversee student technicians to ensure safe, effective, and compliant lab operations.
About the Department:
The Mechanical Engineering department offers a dynamic, hands-on environment where innovation, problem-solving, and experiential learning intersect. As an Engineer I, you’ll support both cutting-edge research and meaningful educational experiences, helping students apply engineering principles in real-world scenarios. You will work with a wide range of advanced equipment, collaborate closely with faculty and researchers, and contribute to projects that directly shape the future of engineering education.
Level Guidelines
• Individual contributor position with developing professional and/or technical skills working under immediate to general supervision
• Grasps professional-level knowledge and concepts of field while working in a progressive learning mode
• Works on problems and issues of somewhat limited scope
• Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data for which answers are available or can be obtained
• Responds to inquiries and issues, escalating to manager or higher-level workers as appropriate
• May lead projects of limited scope and complexity
• May provide guidance to students
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
Appointment Type:
RegularNumber of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work PeriodTime Type:
Full timePay Grade:
PS809Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program