NIAR Research Engineer - Wind Tunnel

Wichita State University; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Wichita State University’s Walter H. Beech Wind Tunnel invites a Research Engineer to join a premier aerodynamic testing environment on the Wichita, KS campus.

You will lead hands-on wind tunnel testing, select instrumentation for customer needs, and collaborate with clients to deliver precise results for government, industry, and academia. The role requires a Bachelor’s in engineering or related field with at least two years of experience; aerospace background is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related STEM field is required.
• Two years of related engineering experience is expected.
• Preferred: Bachelor's in aerospace engineering.

Responsibilities

• Select instrumentation to meet customer-defined test needs.
• Lead maintenance and calibration for instruments from pressure scanners to internal balances.
• Setup and perform wind tunnel testing.
• Coordinate with customer to ensure wind tunnel test is successful, including digital and physical prep tasks.
• Analyze and document wind tunnel data.
• Operate wind tunnel.
• Assist in maintenance of the facility.
• Assist in programming data collection and reduction software.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical aptitude

Verbal and written communication

Independent worker

Time management

Mechanical aptitude

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related STEM field

Two years of related experience

Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering (preferred)

Tools

CATIA V5/3DEX

MATLAB

Python

Visual Studio

MS Office

Job description

Department: Walter H. Beech Wind Tunnel

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Starting at $65,000

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, normally 7:30am to 4:30pm, but could start as early as 6am and go as late as 6pm for an eight-hour shift; evening and weekends may be needed; work is completed onsite and in-person.

Export Compliance Requirement: This position requires access to EAR or ITAR controlled technologies. Applicants are required to be eligible for employment under U.S. export control laws and must meet the requirement of being a "U.S. Person".

Job Details

Join a team where innovation meets real‑world impact. At the Walter H. Beech Wind Tunnel—one of the nation’s premier aerodynamics testing facilities—you’ll contribute to cutting‑edge research that supports commercial partners, government agencies, and leading academic institutions. We’re looking for a Research Engineer who’s ready to turn complex challenges into meaningful results, collaborate with customers on high‑precision testing, and help advance the future of aerospace discovery. If you’re driven by hands‑on engineering, analytical problem‑solving, and building solutions that matter, we’d love to have you on our team.

Job Summary

Independently interprets, organizes, executes, and coordinates research assignments in a field or specialization of an engineering discipline. Formulates and conducts research on problems of considerable scope and complexity. Explores subject area and defines scope and selection of problems for investigation through conceptually related studies or series of projects of lesser scope.

Essential Functions

Interprets, organizes, executes, and coordinates engineering research assignments concerned with unique or controversial problems. Applies diversified knowledge of engineering research principles, practices, and protocols in research projects; makes recommendations and conclusions which serve as the basis for decision making in a specialty area. Formulates and conducts systematic problem analysis and resolution in an area of considerable scope and complexity through series of complete and conceptually related studies, or through a variety of projects of lesser scope. Receives administrative supervision, with assignments given in terms of broad general objectives and limits. Develops model concepts and approaches as an individual researcher and acts independently on technical matters. Collaborates with users and principal investigators on design, analysis, application, and reporting of research projects; provides technical leadership and technique consultation. Prepares analyses, reports, and assists with the preparation of, materials for grant proposals to obtain funding in support of research activities. Serves as investigator on single or multiple projects of complexity and scope consistent with above criteria, and/or manages a research unit. Maintains currency of knowledge with respect to relevant state‑of‑the‑art technology, equipment, and/or systems.

Job Duties

• Select instrumentation to meet customer‑defined test needs.
• Lead maintenance and calibration efforts for instruments ranging from pressure scanners to internal balances.
• Setup and perform wind tunnel testing.
• Coordinate with customer to ensure wind tunnel test is successful, including both digital and physical test preparation tasks.
• Analyze and document wind tunnel data.
• Operate wind tunnel.
• Assist in maintenance of the facility.
• Assist in programming data collection and reduction software.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related STEM field
• Two (2) years of related experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability with attention to detail and analytical aptitude.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as team player; work in an environment that builds people, engages the community, and provides customer satisfaction.
• Proficient PC and MS Office skills.
• Familiar with CATIA (V5 or 3DE) or other CAD software.
• Programming with Matlab, Visual Studio, or Python.
• Willingness to frequently reprioritize tasks as ongoing testing demands change.
• Mechanical aptitude and familiarity with use of hand tools.
• Ability to initiate work as a self‑starter and to prioritize with time management skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering
• A minimum of one (1) year of wind tunnel experience.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to ascend and descend ladders and/or stairs. Ability to position self for inspection, construction or maintenance of equipment and/or buildings including confined, elevated and loud noise spaces. Ability to position self to move and/or transfer materials, mail, equipment and/or supplies. Ability to move or traverse across campus, within buildings and offices, and/or across external environments. Ability to use tools, equipment, and technology necessary to do the job. This includes dexterity in instrument manipulation. Ability to communicate with others and accurately exchange information. Ability to interpret effectively, accurately and impartially, both receptively and expressively. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators.

Additional Physical Requirement:

Ability to maintain focus on an automated machine process for up to five (5) hours at a time.