Manager - Research Facilities - (496847 )

University of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Houston Mechanical Engineering department seeks a Manager - Research Facilities to lead design, construction, and maintenance of thin film vacuum deposition tools (MOCVD, magnetron sputtering, PLD, ion beam assisted deposition) in UH facilities on campus and Technology Bridge.

Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering with substantial experience in mechanical, electrical, and electronics engineering, and at least five years of related work.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering; candidates with an AAS degree and substantial relevant work experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of experience in design, construction and troubleshooting of thin film vacuum deposition equipment.
• 5+ years of experience in design, construction and troubleshooting of control systems for motion, heat, vacuum, flow, power, RF, and deposition components; software to automate equipment.
• Expertise in SOLIDWORKS is required.
• Experience in an R&D or technology-driven environment; management of laboratory facilities is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plans and conducts research in one or more large and complex areas of specialization.
• Reviews and manages progress of projects; liaises with other areas to obtain support or expertise.
• Defines procedures or processes for experimental work; may conduct complex investigations.
• Responsible for administrative activities, including supervision and evaluation of personnel.
• Operates with wide latitude for unreviewed action within policies and ethical guidelines.
• Reviews and evaluates the effectiveness of personnel.
• Assists in design, construction, and maintenance of equipment for thin film vacuum deposition processes.

Skills

5+ years experience

Design & troubleshooting

Laboratory facilities management

R&D environment

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

AAS with substantial relevant work experience

Tools

SOLIDWORKS

Job description

Department: MechanicalEngineeringSalary: Commensurate withExperience/Education

Provides expertise in support of research projects inengineering, biology, mathematics, statistics, computer science,physics, etc. Prepares and edits research papers, proposal, andreports. Performs advanced testing procedures and analyses of data.May prepare samples for testing. Performs advanced testingprocedure and performs analyses of data. Makes uses of a variety ofspecialized equipment typical within area of specialization. Maycontribute to grant proposal development. Ensures experiments areperformed according to specifications. May make recommendations tochanges in procedure, processes, or experimental design. Possesses,understands, and applies an advanced knowledge of a professionalnatural, physical, or engineering field or multiple fields ofspecialization to develop unique and new approaches or ideas.Understands and uses research tools and equipment and utilizeseffective management techniques.

• 1. Plans and conducts research in one or more large and complexareas of specialization.
• 2. Reviews and manages progress of projects. Liaison with otherareas of specialization to obtain support or technical expertisefor projects.
• 3. Defines procedures or processes to be used in the experimentalprocesses. May personally conduct important and/or technicallycomplex investigations.
• 4. Responsible for administrative activities, including thesupervision and evaluation of personnel.
• 5. Operates with wide latitude for unreviewed action subject onlyto institutional policies and guidelines and ethicalconsiderations.
• 6. Reviews and evaluates the effectiveness of personnel.

The Manager - Research Facilities will be responsible for design,construction, and maintenance of equipment for thin film vacuumdeposition processes. The position will support research in theSelva Research Group (https://selva.me.uh.edu/) directed by Prof.Venkat Selvamanickam in 6,000 sq.ft. laboratories on UH campus and22,000 sq. ft facilities at the Technology Bridge of the Universityof Houston. High-caliber candidates are sought for design,construction, improvement, and troubleshooting of thin film vacuumdeposition process tools for metal organic chemical vapordeposition (MOCVD), magnetron sputtering, pulsed laser deposition,and ion beam assisted deposition. The position entailsimplementation of concepts developed by R&D scientific staffinto equipment design and construction. Additional responsibilityincludes troubleshooting and improvement of existing equipment toachieve desired functionality. The position further requirescoordination with Facilities department to install power, exhaust,water, and other utilities for the equipment.

Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering with astrong background in mechanical, electrical and electronicsengineering. Candidates with AAS degree with substantial relevantwork experience will also be considered. 5+ years of experience isrequired in design, construction and troubleshooting of thin filmvacuum deposition equipment. 5+ years of experience in design,construction and troubleshooting of control systems for motion,heat, vacuum, flow, power, RF, and deposition components andsoftware expertise to automate the equipment is required. Expertisein design software, particularly SOLIDWORKS, is required.Experience working in an R&D or technology-driven environmentand management of laboratory facilities is preferred.

Anticipated start date: 11/1/2026.

Experience will be considered in lieu ofeducation.

MQ: Education: Requires singular knowledge of a specializedadvanced professional discipline or the highest level of generalbusiness knowledge, normally acquired through attainment of adirectly job‑related terminal degree (PhD) or equivalent formaltraining in a recognized field of specialization that is directlyrelated to the type of work being performed. Experience: Requires aminimum of five (5) years of directly job‑related experience.Experience can only be considered in lieu of education if directlyrelated.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are securitysensitive and will require a criminal history check.

The University of Houston System and its universities are EqualOpportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.