Dev/Research Engineer 2

Greetings,

I hope you are doing well. We have a new job opportunity with one of our direct manufacturing clients.

Kindly review the below-mentioned job description and let me know your thoughts on it.

Here is the new opportunity:

Dev/Research Engineer 2 - (80150-1)
Mossville, IL
12 months
Summary:

The main function of a research engineer is to research and investigate the design, functionality and maintenance of mechanical products, equipment, systems and processes. A typical research engineer has the ability to make engineering drawings and read and interpret blueprints.

Job Responsibilities:
- Research, design, develop, manufacture, and test tools, engines, machines and other mechanical devices.
- Research / analyze customer proposals and test specifications to determine time and cost feasibility to complete projects.
- Investigate equipment failures and difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and make recommendation to maintenance crew.
- Assist drafters in developing the structural design of products using tools, equipment or software.

Skills:
- Creativity, verbal and written communication skills, analytical and problem-solving ability.
- Team player and detail oriented.
- Ability to make sketches, engineering drawings and common computations.
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical drawing, schematics, and computer-generated reports.
- Previous experience with computer applications / software related to engineering field, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD).
- Familiarity with MTS (or similar) servo-hydraulic-based fatigue testing is highly desirable.

Position’s Contributions to Work Group:
- This team member will lead projects to deliver critical component and material performance results, especially fatigue testing.
- The team member will lead some projects and will serves as a contributor on others.
The team member will work with technicians to develop processes and written procedures to test materials to meet the needs of client groups.

Typical task breakdown:
- Project leadership for mechanical testing needs of internal clients
- Consulting with clients on test needs and deliverables
- Analysis of how to test components to failure to match expected or observed failure modes
- Fixture design
- Instrumentation planning, especially strain gauging of critical specimens for data validation
- Project planning
- Coordination work with internal and external providers of material & services
- Analysis of fatigue test results, including statistical analysis
- Report writing to summarize results

Interaction with team:
- Daily interactions with work group, including engineers and technicians
- Assigning tasks to technicians
- Reviewing progress with work group and clients
- Teams meetings and in person meetings

Work environment:
- Approximately 75% office, 25% test lab

Education & Experience Required:
- 4 year degree in engineering or engineering technology
- Preference is mechanical engineering or materials science. Other disciplines can be considered with relevant experience.

Technical Skills
(Required)
- General knowledge of fatigue and fracture mechanics
- Strong technical knowledge of mechanics of materials, including stress strain concepts, and elastic v. plastic deformation.
- Familiarity with instrumentation such as strain gauges, load cells, and LVDT’s.
- General understanding of statistical analysis as applied to fatigue & fracture
- Strong technical writing abilities
- The ability to apply fundamental engineering concepts to a practical problem to devise testing solution and deliver high quality data to our clients.

(Desired)
- Knowledge of hydraulic equipment, especially mechanical test load frames
- Understanding of material microstructure as it relates to component performance, especially fatigue.
- Knowledge of machining processes to determine how to fabricate fixtures and test pieces.
- Creo or other CAD experience. Note that this is less than 10% of the job.
- Familiarity with Client DATK software. Less than 10%
- Familiarity with project planning software such as Microsoft Project

Soft Skills
(Required)
- Communication skills and professionalism to communicate within the work group and with clients. This will include engineers, technicians, and managers.
- Diligent attention to detail regarding following of test protocols and establishing new procedures to deliver high quality data.
- Ability to lead projects with some supervision.
- Self starter who can formulate a test plan and demonstrate progress towards objectives.
- Attitude of continuous learning and improvement to adapt skills necessary to unique projects.
- Ability to present results to groups in person and on virtual meetings.
- Strong focus on safety.

Disqualifiers/Red Flags:
No hands-on lab testing or operations experience.