Lead Research Engineer - Aerosol Systems, Exposure Platforms & Instrumentation Integration

The University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Pittsburgh seeks a Lead Research Engineer to design, integrate, and operate advanced aerosol delivery and exposure systems for human-relevant experimental platforms. You will ensure precise aerosol generation, robust instrumentation integration, and reproducible workflows across multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities include system design, validation, documentation, and collaboration with engineers and researchers to optimize flow conditions and physiologically relevant

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Electrical / Systems Engineering, or a related field
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in system design, instrumentation, or experimental platform development
• Experience with fluid systems, airflow control, or particle/aerosol transport
• Experience with prototyping and integration of complex engineering systems
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary research and engineering environments

Responsibilities

• Develop, improve, and maintain aerosol generation and delivery systems for controlled experimental applications
• Ensure reproducible aerosol output, transport, and exposure conditions across experimental runs
• Configure and maintain integrated exposure platforms, including sensing systems, environmental chambers, and multi-component assemblies
• Support development and optimization of physiologically relevant flow conditions and dynamic system operation
• Integrate aerosol systems with biological platforms, including device docking, fluid routing, and instrumentation interfaces
• Perform system-level testing and validation, including characterization of aerosol properties and delivery consistency
• Troubleshoot system performance issues and implement engineering solutions to improve robustness and reproducibility
• Maintain detailed documentation of system design, operation, and validation procedures
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to align system functionality with experimental and operational requirements
• Contribute to preparation of technical documentation, reports, and related materials

Skills

System design

Instrumentation

Experimental platform development

Fluid systems

Airflow control

Particle/aerosol transport

Prototyping

Complex system integration

Analytical thinking

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Electrical / Systems Engineering, or a related field

Master’s or Ph.D. in a relevant engineering discipline

Job description

Job Description - Lead Research Engineer - Aerosol Systems, Exposure Platforms & Instrumentation Integration (26006445)

Med-Medicine - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - ( 26006445 )

The Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine Division is made of up approximately 70 clinical staff and over 100 research staff who work in a variety of locations including: Bridgeside Point, Biomedical Science Tower (BST), UPMC Hospitals including Presbyterian, Shadyside, East, Jameson and Mercy. The division provides world class services across 10 inpatient services at five hospitals and over 70,000 outpatient office visits. We have a major research mission that focuses on basic, clinical, and translational research on the lung, microbiome, COVID-19, sleep medicine, and allergy and immunology.

The Benam Lab (https://www.benamlab.net/) at the University of Pittsburgh Departments of Medicine and Bioengineering is seeking a highly motivated Lead Research Engineer to support the development, integration, and operation of advanced aerosol delivery, sensing, and exposure systems for human-relevant experimental platforms. This role focuses on ensuring precise, reproducible generation and delivery of airborne agents, as well as integration of instrumentation and multi-system platforms to enable controlled and standardized experimental workflows. The position will contribute to system optimization, performance validation, and operational readiness in complex laboratory environments.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Electrical / Systems Engineering, or a related field
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in system design, instrumentation, or experimental platform development
• Experience with fluid systems, airflow control, or particle/aerosol transport
• Experience with prototyping and integration of complex engineering systems
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary research and engineering environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in a relevant engineering discipline
• Experience with aerosol generation, characterization, or exposure systems
• Familiarity with sensors, environmental control systems, and integrated instrumentation platforms
• Experience with dynamic flow systems and control of physiologically relevant conditions
• Experience working in controlled or regulated laboratory environments (e.g., high-containment or safety-regulated settings)
• Experience integrating engineering systems with biological or microphysiological platforms

Job Summary

Designs, fabricates, and maintains research instrumentation and develops conceptual project design and instrumentation, software programs, and data collection methods.Assists with conducting research and oversees research projects. Utilizes specialized data analysis software and performs advanced data analysis. Contributes to manuscripts and reviews others' research papers for publication.

Essential Functions

• Develop, improve, and maintain aerosol generation and delivery systems for controlled experimental applications
• Ensure reproducible aerosol output, transport, and exposure conditions across experimental runs
• Configure and maintain integrated exposure platforms, including sensing systems, environmental chambers, and multi-component assemblies
• Support development and optimization of physiologically relevant flow conditions and dynamic system operation (e.g., breathing waveforms, airflow control)
• Integrate aerosol systems with biological platforms, including device docking, fluid routing, and instrumentation interfaces
• Perform system-level testing and validation, including characterization of aerosol properties and delivery consistency
• Troubleshoot system performance issues and implement engineering solutions to improve robustness and reproducibility
• Maintain detailed documentation of system design, operation, and validation procedures
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to align system functionality with experimental and operational requirements
• Contribute to preparation of technical documentation, reports, and related materials

Physical Effort

Must be able to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time and perform hands‑on engineering and laboratory tasks, including system assembly, calibration, and testing.

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.

Assignment Category Full-time regular

Job Classification Staff.Lead Research Engineer

Job Family Research

Job Sub-Family Research Engineering

Campus Pittsburgh

Minimum Education Level Required Bachelor's Degree

Minimum Years of Experience Required 3

Will this position accept substitution in lieu of education or experience? Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.

Work Schedule Monday - Friday; 8:30am - 5pm

Work Arrangement On-Campus: Teams that work on campus, in an office, or in a lab.

Hiring Range TBD Based Upon Qualifications

Relocation Offered No

Visa Sponsorship Provided Yes

Background Check For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check

Child Protection Clearances Not Applicable

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.