What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mechanical Engineer, Research Associate-VTTI position at Virginia Tech?
Job Description
The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) seeks a talented mechanical engineer, who enjoys solving complex problems. Ideal candidate is a highly motivated engineer, expected to work independently and in a group environment. The applicant must be interested in improving transportation safety . Experience with vehicle systems, complex assembly design, and rapid prototyping is required.
Projects focus heavily on transportation research, but range from one-off vehicle installations to large scale coordinated efforts and include research related to emerging vehicle automation.
Tasks focus on vehicle modification such as specially designed hardware and integrated data collection
systems. Research platforms include passenger cars, motorcycles, commercial heavy vehicles, and
bicycles.
The applicant will be expected to work with mechanical and electrical systems, specifically as they relate
to light vehicles, heavy vehicles, and automated vehicle systems. The employee is expected to work on
multiple projects in a fast-paced research environment. Employee will utilize SolidWorks to design, build,
and reverse engineer complex assemblies such as electrically controlled braking and steering systems
on passenger and heavy vehicles, environmentally rugged data acquisition system enclosures,
automated vehicle sensor selection and integration, and remote-operated research props. Individual will
contribute to design conceptualizations, proposals, execution, and logistics to facilitate research
addressing critical transportation knowledge gaps.
Assignments include: Handle multiple priorities. Interface with engineers, designers, and lab personnel.
Research, design, and validate complex assemblies. Analyze problems, provide solutions, and provide
support. Document designs, assembly procedures, and installation protocol.
Travel to research sites within the continental US and Canada will generally be <10%) with most travel
occurring rarely and within Virginia (e.g., Northern VA region and Washington, D. C.).
Required Qualifications
Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
2 years of experience with vehicle systems, complex assembly design, and rapid prototyping
2 years of experience performing work which actively utilizes their mechanical engineering expertise
and involves work related to vehicles.
2 Years Experience Using The Following Software Applications
SolidWorks
VXelements or similar 3D scanning software
Geomagic Design X or similar 3D scanning processing software
MonitorPlus or similar surveillance camera management software
Preferred Qualifications
n/a
Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
Commensurate with Experience
Hours per week
40
Review Date
April 28, 2025
Additional Information
Position will be located in Blacksburg, Virginia.
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 endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance . These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
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, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military 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 an accommodation, please contact Lisa Eichelberger at lisae@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) seeks a talented mechanical engineer, who enjoys solving complex problems. Ideal candidate is a highly motivated engineer, expected to work independently and in a group environment. The applicant must be interested in improving transportation safety . Experience with vehicle systems, complex assembly design, and rapid prototyping is required.
Projects focus heavily on transportation research, but range from one-off vehicle installations to large scale coordinated efforts and include research related to emerging vehicle automation.
Tasks focus on vehicle modification such as specially designed hardware and integrated data collection
systems. Research platforms include passenger cars, motorcycles, commercial heavy vehicles, and
bicycles.
The applicant will be expected to work with mechanical and electrical systems, specifically as they relate
to light vehicles, heavy vehicles, and automated vehicle systems. The employee is expected to work on
multiple projects in a fast-paced research environment. Employee will utilize SolidWorks to design, build,
and reverse engineer complex assemblies such as electrically controlled braking and steering systems
on passenger and heavy vehicles, environmentally rugged data acquisition system enclosures,
automated vehicle sensor selection and integration, and remote-operated research props. Individual will
contribute to design conceptualizations, proposals, execution, and logistics to facilitate research
addressing critical transportation knowledge gaps.
Assignments include: Handle multiple priorities. Interface with engineers, designers, and lab personnel.
Research, design, and validate complex assemblies. Analyze problems, provide solutions, and provide
support. Document designs, assembly procedures, and installation protocol.
Travel to research sites within the continental US and Canada will generally be <10%) with most travel
occurring rarely and within Virginia (e.g., Northern VA region and Washington, D. C.).
Required Qualifications
Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
2 years of experience with vehicle systems, complex assembly design, and rapid prototyping
2 years of experience performing work which actively utilizes their mechanical engineering expertise
and involves work related to vehicles.
2 Years Experience Using The Following Software Applications
SolidWorks
VXelements or similar 3D scanning software
Geomagic Design X or similar 3D scanning processing software
MonitorPlus or similar surveillance camera management software
Preferred Qualifications
n/a
Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
Commensurate with Experience
Hours per week
40
Review Date
April 28, 2025
Additional Information
Position will be located in Blacksburg, Virginia.
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 endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance . These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
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, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military 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 an accommodation, please contact Lisa Eichelberger at lisae@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
