Engineer Associate

Auburn University; Auburn (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Auburn University National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME) is seeking a Fatigue Laboratory Engineer Associate for a two-year limited-term position. This role focuses on fatigue testing, lab operations, and cross-functional collaboration with AU facilities and external partners.

The engineer will operate additive manufacturing equipment, support machine shop activities, perform maintenance, and assist in projects requiring engineering practices and safety guidance.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in Physics, Engineering, Mechanics, Electronics, or related field and 6 years of experience.
• Associate's Degree in Physics, Engineering, Mechanics, Electronics, or related field and 8 years of experience.
• Associate's Degree in Physics, Engineering, Mechanics, Electronics, or related field and 10 years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Additive Manufacturing Lab Operations – perform standard operations on L-PBF and LP-DED metal additive manufacturing equipment, prepare machines for builds, and perform preventive maintenance.
• Machine Shop Operations – execute shop work orders on CNC lathe, Wire EDM, longitudinal polisher, heat treat furnaces, thermocouple welders, and related equipment.
• Machine Shop Maintenance – calibrations, preventive maintenance, and repairs to keep shop equipment in good working order.
• Test Equipment Operations, Preventive Maintenance, Configuration, and Set-up – maintain test equipment and assist in setups.
• Facilities and Project Support – coordinate with outside suppliers and AU facilities management for new equipment installation and testing, inventory management, and test execution.
• Provides guidance, supervision, and training on design, modification, prototype processes, and safety considerations.

Skills

Additive Manufacturing

Machine Shop Operations

Preventive Maintenance

Test Equipment Troubleshooting

Education

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

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

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

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.

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.

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