Mechanical Engineer - Human Performance and Robotics

VetCV, Inc.; Pensacola (FL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

IHMC is actively seeking engineers and scientists to design wearable devices, including passive and actively actuated exoskeletons, to enhance human performance. The team works across multidisciplinary efforts with DOE EM, Sandia, and Georgia Tech to advance mobility assistance and lower-body exoskeletons for heavy PPE loads.

The ideal candidate has mechanical design, control and software development experience, familiarity with biomechanics and human factors, and a track record in prototype

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or similar, with 2+ years of experience.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Design wearable robotics components for exoskeletons and related systems.
• Collaborate on multidisciplinary teams to develop new wearable tech for human performance.
• Conduct or support human-subject testing and documentation.

Skills

Mechanical design

Control systems

Software development

Biomechanics

Human factors

Prototyping

Kinematics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

3D printing

Machining

Sensing systems

Job description

Job Description

IHMC is currently seeking engineers and scientists for the design of wearable devices, including passive and actively actuated exoskeletons, designed around enhancing human performance. Over the last 17 years, IHMC has developed a variety of legged systems ranging from bipedal robots like M2V2 and the Planar Elliptical Runner to legged exoskeletons like Quix. IHMC is also a demonstrated leader in research focusing on human performance, and is currently establishing a new human performance center. Individuals hired will work as part of both our interdisciplinary team on the design and development of new wearable robotics for improving human capabilities.

Current Project Goals

Current project goals include the development wearables that focus on extending the working life of DOE Environmental Management personnel by reducing the load on the musculoskeletoal system. This includes working with Sandia National Labs and Georgia Tech to analyze and improve limitations of existing wearables. It also involves the development of a novel powered lower-body exoskeleton that aims to assist EM workers in the carrying of heavy PPE loads. Other projects include continuing our research on mobility assistance devices for individuals with spinal cord injuries. The particular focus here is to understand the limitations of current approaches and how these are affect the physical capacity of the user.

Background Required

To make these projects successful, we are currently seeking individuals with backgrounds in mechanical design, controller and software development, biomechanics, and human factors.

Ideal Candidate

We are seeking individuals who are passionate about wearable robotics and exoskeletons and have experience working on multi-disciplinary teams to develop new, cutting edge wearable systems for the improvement of human performance. Applicants must be capable of functioning both in a tight-knit team and independently for extended periods of time. The ideal individual will have been involved in the development of exoskeletons in the past, including experience designing and conducting human-subject testing. Applicants must also have good communication and documentation skills, and thrive in both a team and individual environment. Applicants should have a general knowledge of prototype development and prototype fabrication techniques, from machining to 3d printing, as well as focusing on minimizing weight while maintaining durability. Applicants should also have familiarity with failure analysis, and would preferably have experience in designing with composites and advanced manufacturing. Applicants should have experience with standard mechatronics and control theory, robot kinematics, dynamics, and control concepts. Applicants should also have a working knowledge of human factors and human biomechanics.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or similar, with 2 plus years of experience.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with articulated robots. To include:
  • Ergonomic assessments
  • Biomechanical assessments
• Experience working with wearable systems.
• Experience with electromechanical systems, sensors, motors.
• Experience designing and conducted human-subject testing.
• Experience designing physical interfacing for exoskeletons.
• Knowledge of human biomechanics.
• Knowledge of human factors.

Job Requirements

Job Requirements

Application Deadline

Open until filled.

Location

Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC), Pensacola, FL

Questions

[e-mail]

Client Description

The Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC) pioneers technologies aimed at leveraging and extending human capabilities.

IHMC is a not-for-profit research institute of the Florida University System and is affiliated with several Florida universities.

Researchers at IHMC pioneer technologies aimed at leveraging and extending human capabilities. Our human-centered approach often results in systems that can be regarded as cognitive, physical, or perceptual orthoses, much as eyeglasses are a kind of ocular orthoses. These systems fit the human and machine components together in ways that exploit their respective strengths and mitigate their respective weaknesses. The design and fit of technological orthoses and prostheses requires a broader interdisciplinary range than is typically found in one organization, thus IHMC staff includes computer scientists, cognitive psychologists, neuroscientists, linguists, physicians, philosophers, engineers and social scientists of various stripes, as well as some people who resist all attempts to classify them.

Current active research areas include: artificial intelligence, cognitive science, knowledge modeling and sharing, human interactions with autonomy, humanoid robotics, exoskeletons, advanced interfaces and displays, cybersecurity, communication and collaboration, linguistics and natural language processing, computer-mediated learning systems, intelligent data understanding, software agents, expertise studies, work practice simulation, knowledge representation, big data and machine learning, as well as other related areas.

IHMC faculty and staff collaborate extensively with industry and government to develop science and technology that can be enabling with respect to society’s broader goals. IHMC researchers receive funding from a wide range of government and private sources. IHMC research partners have included: DARPA, NSF, NASA, Army, Navy, Air Force, NIH, IARPA, DOT, IDEO, Raytheon, IBM, Microsoft, Rockwell Collins, Boeing, Lockheed, and SAIC, among others.