Research Engineering Technician – Engineering Full-time

Job Title

Support the faculty investigator by developing, maintaining, and optimizing custom software and hardware systems for real-time data acquisition, integration, and analysis, ensuring reliable experimental performance and data integrity. Conduct and support experiments, data analysis, and lab operations, including equipment calibration, documentation, reporting, and training of lab members to facilitate efficient research workflows.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Support the faculty investigator by maintaining and optimizing a custom real-time data acquisition software system to ensure stability, performance, and reliability across multiple hardware devices; troubleshoot system-level issues involving hardware–software interaction, data flow, and real-time performance; and create and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including troubleshooting guides and user instructions. Primarily requires the use of Python and associated libraries (Numpy, PyQT/PySide6, Pandas), but may also involve the use of MATLAB/Simulink and C++.
• At direction of faculty investigator, develop and integrate new hardware devices into the existing software platform using Python, including implementing data acquisition, visualization, and communication interface. May include use of makerspaces, machine shops, oscilloscopes and multimeters, Python, MATLAB, and C++.
• At direction of faculty investigator, conduct experiments and calibrate equipment. Assist lab members in experiment set up and data collection during experiments. Monitor/evaluate experiments. Maintain records/reports.
• Assist in facilitating daily lab operations such as: ordering supplies, overseeing supply inventory, managing lab documentation and records, coordinating device and supply shipments, etc.
• Perform data analysis including statistical analyses and original coding if required.
• Assist with writing interpretative reports/summaries.
• Conduct literature searches.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

• Works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards.
• Must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications /Professional Licenses: No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience: No specific work experience is required for this position.

Skills: Not Applicable

Driver's License: A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physics, or four years of equivalent education/experience in an engineering or sciences laboratory or research setting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with object-oriented programming principles and C/C++ is a plus.
• Previous exposure to software concurrency.
• Basic knowledge of hardware and simple circuits, or desire to learn.
• Expertise with basic rules of computer coding.
• Ability to learn new software independently.
• Ability to communicate orally and in written form with others outside their discipline.

Grade

R07-H

Salary Range

$17.10 – $29.09 / HourlyThe salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We've got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University's policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.