SUMMARY

Provide research engineering support for research, analysis, and investigations in supporting design, preparation, execution, and analysis of studies and experimentation; selecting, installing, and maintaining instrumentation; performing laboratory procedures, field studies, testing, and research activities; and other scientific and administrative tasks in fields such as mechanical or biomedical engineering, injury biomechanics, biomechanics, or other related field with minimal supervision.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with all levels of documentation, particularly engineering and technical aspects, development of testing procedures and equipment, collection of data, assessment and mitigation of risks, and evaluation and maintenance of functionality and safety of unique research assets and facilities.
• Advise Principal Investigators, Group Leadership, and study teams in administration and execution of RDT&E, analysis, and investigations.
• Provide advanced services related to the Injury Biomechanics RDT&E program, particularly related to Post Mortem Human Specimen (PMHS) or human research volunteers; material testing; biomedical instrumentation; ATDs; and data acquisition and analysis, including the development of research proposals, plans, and protocols to address existing or newly defined research needs/gaps according to policy and procedures of USAARL.
• All aspects of RDT&E are included, such as Human Subject Research, Research Not Involving Human Subjects (RNIHS), animal and cadaveric studies, and Test and Evaluations.
• Provide services related to preparing reports, presentations, manuscripts, and other documentation on research progress and findings, that will be ready for distribution and presentation (by incumbent or others) within the laboratory and/or at small or large scientific, professional, technical, or programmatic forums within and outside of USAARL.
• Work independently with minimal strategic and application and with no technical direction to address analytic, theoretical, scientific, and operational questions, solve analytic and technical problems, and execution analytic, theoretical, scientific, and administrative solutions – creativity and latitude are expected.
• Provide scientific analytical, engineering problem solving, design efforts, and experienced-based solutions related to creating, measuring, and evaluating biomechanical, kinematic, and physiologic responses (including determining bio-fidelity, injury risk, and human tolerance) for Soldier injury prevention through scientifically sound and approved protocols, policies, and/or research and test plans to ensure quality, accuracy, reproducibility, and relevance of data/results.
  • (e.g., by following procedures, recording and documenting efforts and results, and properly handling and storing data).
• Provide engineering expertise in developing and writing standard operating procedures (SOPs) that will ensure scientific and sound engineering principles and safety procedures are implemented and followed per USAARL and MRMC approval process and existing policies.
  • Such SOPs will be used during the execution of research protocols and research/test plans that may include volunteers, cadaveric specimens, animals, and/or other biological/biomedical and non-biological materials and devices, such as PPE. Such SOPs may include the operation of data acquisition, instrumentation, mechanical material characterization equipment, and impact devices.
• Provide engineering expertise in analyzing and evaluating ongoing research through data and documentation, which may be self-prepared or prepared by others and can include in-house materials, internal government documentation/data, and public-released data/documentation related to human response, injuries, laboratory, and/or field injury biomechanics exposures.
  • This expertise should be demonstrated through providing written and oral summaries, critiques, and evaluations for intramural and extramural evaluations/justifications.
• Provide engineering expertise in preparing for classical and injury biomechanics research studies, including collaborative work with industrial and academic partners, design work for fabrication of biomechanical test equipment/devices, troubleshooting instrumentation and other equipment necessary for research purposes, and selection and justification of materials/supplies/equipment necessary for successful injury biomechanics research.
• Provide reliable, timely, and quality engineering services (as described above) in a team environment to industrial, military, academic customers in meeting customer, project, and/or program timelines through the testing and/or research life cycle (development and execution of test plans and protocols, analysis of laboratory, field, and theater data, analysis and documentation of findings related to injuries and/or PPE).
• In collaboration with study PI (if applicable) and under the direction of Team Chief, and Group Leadership, manage and develop methodology, projects, personnel, and resources.
• Actively conduct (theoretically and hands-on) PMHS research, volunteer research, quality assurance, data analysis, BSL-2 good laboratory practice, and publication of project findings.
  • Ensure all team members follow laboratory safety and biosafety requirements, in coordination with Group Leadership, Investigators, or other relevant staff.
  • Develop and provide recommendations to improve, laboratory safety and biosafety requirements, in coordination with Group Leadership, Investigators, or other relevant staff.
• Execute biomechanical and/or biomedical protocols and analyze data
• Provide guidance to and participate within a study team, including assignment and execution of tasks to develop research work plans, proposals, data collection and analyses, and agreements:
  • Develop testing procedures and data collection necessary to execute project goals.
  • Acquiring, analyzing, evaluating, and management of data gathered during research
  • Ensures accurate and complete documentation protocol execution within timelines of research plans.
  • Confirm to the PI that the entire study team read, understand, and execute techniques and procedures within the quality standards and timelines prescribed by the research plan.
  • Compile and review the work of the team members to provide final products (presentations, publications, etc.)
  • Ensure team members are accurately recording all laboratory procedures, research project data, data analyses, conclusions, and results in government-authorized notebooks and electronic systems in accordance with applicable regulations and procedures.
• Prepare for submission protocol interim and final reports, presentations, papers, and other documentation on research progress and findings.
• Follow instructions and guidelines and recommend updates as appropriate, to perform the functions of the job, including but not limited to relevant standard operating procedures, national standards of research technical accuracy, and/or other written guidelines provided.
• Use principles of and integrate aspects of scientific, engineering, and medical fields to design, develop, and accomplish project goals.
• Assist with writing research work plans, proposals, data collection procedures, and agreements.
• Work with industry and customers on biomechanical/biomedical products and solutions.
• Maintain customer and collaborator relations.
• Perform other data-related and research equipment/facilities support functions, including physical packing, moving, shipping, inventory, relocation, and re-organization, as needed.
• Fly on military aircraft or ride in military vehicles in the official conduct of duties of the position on written authority of the Laboratory Commander.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of commonly used and advanced concepts, practices, standards, and procedures within injury biomechanics, mechanics, dynamics, strengths of materials, and mathematics as demonstrated through a relevant engineering degree and coursework from an ABET accredited program and demonstrates experience and skill with a large variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures through publications.
• Experience in programming, data acquisition, instrumentation, kinematic and video motion capture, and use of MATLAB.
• Demonstrated experience with most of the following research tool groupings: FDA and/or IRB approval processes, numerical analysis, trauma research, finite element and/or computational fluid modeling, shock tubes, blast, impact, and/or mechanical testing devices, vehicle (air, ground, water) safety systems, personnel protective equipment (PPE), biomedical imaging and imaging analysis tools (including CT, MRI, and x-rays), mathematical analysis software (MATLAB), high speed imaging and analysis tools, instrumentation (load cells, accelerometers, pressure gauges, etc.), data acquisition equipment (high rate, high quality), biomechanical research and testing with demonstrated injury biomechanics research; PMHS (post mortem human specimen) research and data, and/or with ATDs (Anthropomorphic Test Devices).
• Serve as a credentialed Associate Investigator (AI) or Principal Investigator (PI)
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Secret Security Clearance (U.S. citizenship required).
• Must obtain and maintain any necessary security access and/or background checks

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Ability to coordinate multiple projects and initiatives at one time.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and a solid understanding of Government contracting and the professional services industry.
• Strong organizational skills and detail oriented.
• Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Proven ability to exercise mature judgment – specifically in recognizing and respecting the confidential nature of corporate and personnel matters.

WORK SCHEDULE

40 hours per week. May work variable work hours to meet performance requirements (e.g., proposal and reporting deadlines, collaborations, and lab and field data collections), including occasional night and weekend hours.

TRAVEL

May travel CONUS or O-CONUS to conduct RDT&E, attend working groups meetings, training, workshops, conferences, or other relevant meetings.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS

None.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed primarily in an office and /or laboratory setting. Laboratory environment includes human testing, so exposure may include but are not limited to: Blood-borne pathogens, bio-hazardous waste, chemicals, fumes, vapors, communicable diseases, etc. Employee will be exposed to a wide variety of people in differing functions, personalities, and abilities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Lift and carry 50 lbs. individually and as a part of a team lift and carry operation; use hand tools to assemble and disassemble equipment, instrumentation, and test devices; climb and descend equipment, test devices, military vehicles, steps, or ladders; work indoors and outdoors in environmental extremes with rough terrain while lifting and carrying 50 lbs. of equipment, instrumentation, computers, test devices, etc. It is Katmai’s business philosophy and practice to provide reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities.

Compliance:

To be considered for this position, all applicants must apply on the company website, https://katmaicorp.com/life-at-katmai/We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, marital status, familial status or any other characteristic protected by law. https://katmaicorp.com/life-at-katmai/#equal_opportunityPreference will be given to Ouzinkie Shareholders, Descendants of Shareholders and Spouses of Shareholders in accordance with Title 43 U.S. Code 1626(g) and Title 42 U.S. Code 2000e - 2(i).

Executive Order 11246, as amended, protects applicants and employees from discrimination based on inquiring about, disclosing, or discussing their compensation or the compensation of other applicants or employees.