Associate Engineer, Civil Engineering

Vanderbilt; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt University in Nashville is seeking an Associate Engineer to support the structures laboratory. You will help with mechanical testing, data collection, and hands-on learning for students, while contributing to interdisciplinary projects and lab safety.

You will assist in undergraduate instruction, mentor student teams, and help maintain laboratory equipment to ensure high-quality research outcomes.

Qualifications

• Welding proficiency in MIG and TIG required.
• Experience fabricating and designing metal and wood structures and fixtures.
• Forklift experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in concrete mixing is desirable.
• Experience in construction projects is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Support laboratory instruction for courses in collaboration with the Staff Engineer.
• Contribute to ASCE student teams, including fabrication and development of competition projects.
• Provide technical guidance to ASCE student teams in regional competitions.
• Train undergraduate students in using laboratory instrumentation and equipment related to structural engineering.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary student teams on senior design and research projects.
• Engage daily with students to support learning, safety, and project execution in labs.
• Assist in planning and executing departmental programs, including symposiums, workshops, and events.

Skills

Welding MIG/TIG

Metal Wood fabrication

Forklift experience

Concrete mixing

Construction experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, science or technology

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Associate Engineer supports research, instructional, and operational activities within the structures laboratory. This role contributes to the physical testing and analysis of materials and structural systems, including evaluation of mechanical, structural, and thermodynamic properties. The position also supports hands-on learning, student engagement, and interdisciplinary engineering projects.

About the Work Unit:

Vanderbilt's Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) department vision is to be one of the foremost Civil and Environmental Engineering programs in effecting tangible change to resolve problems of critical importance to humanity in the built environment and the natural world through inspired teaching, research, and service, and to maintain a culture of leadership within an educational setting that values research innovation and impact. CEE prepares students to be leaders in Civil and Environmental Engineering in an era of rapid evolution of the profession, to perform innovative basic and applied research that will meet critical challenges in infrastructure and natural resources and provides service to institutions and government agencies that assist in resolving societal problems.

#VUrecruitINDKey Functions and Expected Performance:

• Support laboratory instruction for courses including ES 140, Fluid Mechanics, Civil & Environmental Engineering Lab, Geotechnical Lab, and more in collaboration with the Staff Engineer.


• Contribute to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) student chapter, including fabrication and development of competition projects such as the steel bridge and concrete canoe.


• Provide technical guidance and support to ASCE student teams participating in regional competitions.


• Train and assist undergraduate students in the use of laboratory instrumentation and equipment related to structural engineering applications.


• Collaborate with multidisciplinary student teams (e.g., mechanical and biomedical engineering) on senior design and research projects.


• Engage with students daily to support learning, safety, and project execution in laboratory environments.


• Assist in planning and execution of departmental programs, including symposiums, workshops, and special events.


• Provide hands-on instruction to senior engineering students in shop skills such as welding, woodworking, and concrete mixing/pouring to support capstone design projects.


• Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot laboratory instrumentation to ensure accurate data collection and research outcomes.


• Stay current with research methodologies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements applicable to laboratory operations.


• Support facility-related activities, including mechanical and electrical setup, upgrades, and maintenance.


• Train users on the safe and effective use of tools, equipment, and laboratory resources.


• Assist faculty and research staff with experimental setup and execution of research projects.


• Support general maintenance and organization of CEE laboratories and office spaces.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have supervisory responsibility. This position reports administratively to the CEE Senior Administrative Officer and functionally to the Staff Engineer.

Education and Certifications:

Bachelor's degree in engineering, Science or technology is necessary. Knowledge of civil and structural engineering practices and methods is strongly preferred.

Experience and Skills:

• Proficiency in welding, with the ability to provide introductory instruction in MIG and TIG welding required.


• Experience in fabrication and design of metal and wood structures and fixtures required.


• Experience operating a forklift strongly preferred.


• Experience in concrete mixing.


• Experience in construction.

ABOUT US At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of \"America's Best Large Employers\" as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running.

We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice. We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.