Engineer Associate

Auburn University; Auburn (AL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Auburn University’s National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME) is seeking a Fatigue Laboratory Engineer Associate for a two-year limited-term appointment. The role supports fatigue testing, equipment maintenance, and data analysis in a dynamic lab environment.

The candidate will perform standard operations on fatigue testing equipment, assist in test setups, and ensure safe operation. A related associate degree with relevant experience is required, with substitutions allowed

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in Physics, Engineering, Mechanics, Electronics, or related field required.
• Experience requirements vary by level (6–10 years) in engineering practices.
• Substitutions allowed for education/experience as described in the posting.

Responsibilities

• Additive and Subtractive Manufacturing Shop Operations and Equipment Maintenance.
• Test equipment maintenance, calibration, and setup.
• Facilities and project support, supplier coordination, and inventory oversight.

Skills

Engineering experience

Fatigue testing

Lab safety

Education

Associate's Degree in Physics, Engineering, Mechanics, Electronics, or related field

Tools

CNC machinery

Test equipment operation

Job description

Overview

This is a two-year limited-term position. Continued employment is contingent upon the availability of funding.

The Auburn University National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME) is seeking candidates for Fatigue Laboratory Engineer Associate. NCAME was born for Additive Manufacturing. NCAME was founded in 2017 through a collaboration between Auburn University (AU) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) leveraged by a signed AU/NASA Space Act Agreement. The Center is also a founding partner of the ASTM Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE). NCAME strives to be a transitioning mechanism from fundamental to applied research aligned with the needs of industry. The Center also aims to lead and foster effective collaborations amongst industry, government, academia, non-profit organizations, and ASTM committees for ensuring a coordinated, global effort toward rapidly closing standards and workforce development gaps in AM. Both Centers have vast membership networks with 100+ members within key industrial sectors, including among others GE, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Aerojet and Rocketdyne.

Overview

This is a two-year limited-term position. Continued employment is contingent upon the availability of funding.

The Auburn University National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME) is seeking candidates for Fatigue Laboratory Engineer Associate. NCAME was born for Additive Manufacturing. NCAME was founded in 2017 through a collaboration between Auburn University (AU) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) leveraged by a signed AU/NASA Space Act Agreement. The Center is also a founding partner of the ASTM Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE). NCAME strives to be a transitioning mechanism from fundamental to applied research aligned with the needs of industry. The Center also aims to lead and foster effective collaborations amongst industry, government, academia, non-profit organizations, and ASTM committees for ensuring a coordinated, global effort toward rapidly closing standards and workforce development gaps in AM. Both Centers have vast membership networks with 100+ members within key industrial sectors, including among others GE, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Aerojet and Rocketdyne.

Additive & Subtractive Manufacturing Shop Operations and Equipment Maintenance Additive Manufacturing Lab Operations – Perform standard operations on L-PBF and LP-DED metal additive manufacturing equipment – Prepare machines for builds, execute material changes, perform preventive maintenance, and participate in diagnostic troubleshooting. Machine Shop Operations – Execute shop work orders on CNC lathe, Wire EDM, longitudinal polisher, heat treat furnaces, thermocouple welders, and other shop equipment as requested. Machine Shop Maintenance – Perform calibrations, preventive maintenance, and repairs on CNC lathe, wire EDM, longitudinal polisher, and other shop equipment to keep them in good working order. Test Equipment Operations, Preventive Maintenance, Configuration, and Set-up Maintain test equipment by executing recommended maintenance and calibration schedules. Conduct machine repairs as needed. Assist test setups and fixture installations for test equipment as needed. Facilities and Project Support Work with outside equipment suppliers and AU facilities management to assure that new equipment – additive, subtractive, and test – is installed and functional as projects require. Assist in specimen onboarding, inventory, test prep and set-up, and test execution for projects Support NCAME logistics in terms of specimen shipping, receiving, inventory maintenance, and consumable stock maintenance.

Responsibilities

Additive & Subtractive Manufacturing Shop Operations and Equipment Maintenance

• Additive Manufacturing Lab Operations – Perform standard operations on L-PBF and LP-DED metal additive manufacturing equipment – Prepare machines for builds, execute material changes, perform preventive maintenance, and participate in diagnostic troubleshooting.
• Machine Shop Operations – Execute shop work orders on CNC lathe, Wire EDM, longitudinal polisher, heat treat furnaces, thermocouple welders, and other shop equipment as requested.
• Machine Shop Maintenance – Perform calibrations, preventive maintenance, and repairs on CNC lathe, wire EDM, longitudinal polisher, and other shop equipment to keep them in good working order.

Test Equipment Operations, Preventive Maintenance, Configuration, and Set-up

• Maintain test equipment by executing recommended maintenance and calibration schedules.
• Conduct machine repairs as needed. Assist test setups and fixture installations for test equipment as needed.

Facilities and Project Support

• Work with outside equipment suppliers and AU facilities management to assure that new equipment – additive, subtractive, and test – is installed and functional as projects require.
• Assist in specimen onboarding, inventory, test prep and set-up, and test execution for projects
• Support NCAME logistics in terms of specimen shipping, receiving, inventory maintenance, and consumable stock maintenance.
• Performs a variety of creative activities projects requiring the applications of professional engineering practices and principles and the operation and maintenance of specialized equipment and facilities.
• Provides guidance, supervision, and training on issues related to design, modification, prototype, processes, analysis procedures, and/or other engineering solutions with an emphasis on safety.
• Designs and/or fabricates equipment and materials utilizing engineering practices and principles.
• Ensures supplies are available and operational for use in projects.

Qualifications

Level I:

• Associate's Degree in Physics, Engineering, Mechanics, Electronics, or related field and 6 years of experience in engineering practices and principles.

Level II

• Associate's Degree in Physics, Engineering, Mechanics, Electronics, or related field and 8 years of experience in engineering practices and principles.

Level III

• Associate's Degree in Physics, Engineering, Mechanics, Electronics, or related field and 10 years of experience in engineering practices and principles.

SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED FOR EDUCATION: Yes, When a candidate has the required experience, but lacks the required education, they may normally apply additional relevant experience toward the education requirement, at a rate of two (2) years relevant experience per year of required education.

SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED FOR EXPERIENCE: Yes, When a candidate has the required education, but lacks the required experience, they may normally apply additional appropriate education toward the experience requirement, at a rate of one (1) year relevant education per year of required experience.

Contract Type

Limited Term

Why Work at Auburn?

• Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence:We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
• We’re Here for You:Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama:The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
• A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.
• Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!

Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement

It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance's website to learn more.

Posted Date

10/13/2026