Part-Time Research Assistant- CREST Grant #755391495

Cal Poly Pomona Foundation, Inc; Pomona (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises is seeking a Research Technician to support the NSF CREST Center for Research Advancement in Smart Manufacturing. You will install and calibrate industrial sensors, integrate them with PLCs, and help develop data acquisition for AI-driven analytics and digital twin experiments.

You will collaborate with faculty, students, and external partners, supervise lab activities, and ensure safe, compliant operations across multiple research subprojects through 2030.

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a related engineering field.
• Hands-on experience with sensor installation, wiring and calibration.
• Working knowledge of PLC programming (Siemens/Allen-Bradley).
• Familiarity with Modbus, IO-Link, OPC UA or similar protocols.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, and maintain industrial sensors across stations.
• Integrate sensors with PLCs and ensure reliable data flow.
• Develop data acquisition pipelines to support analytics.
• Troubleshoot hardware/software issues with PLCs and HMIs.
• Support experimental setups and document procedures.

Skills

Sensor installation

Wiring & calibration

PLC programming

Industrial protocols

Troubleshooting

Data acquisition

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Siemens PLC

Allen-Bradley PLC

HMIs

Job description

Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises Employment Services ANNOUNCEMENT OF POSITION VACANCY

SUMMARY:

NSF CREST Center for Research Advancement in Smart Manufacturing (CREST-RASM) seeks a highly motivated Research Technician to support the Industrial and Manufacturing Vy d Tim Li Smart Manufacturing Lab. This position is central to the installation, calibration, and integration of advanced sensors and their interfaces with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and data acquisition. The technician will work closely with faculty, students, and external collaborators to ensure sensor integration and reliable data acquisition for digital twin development, AR/VR training platforms, robotic manipulation research, and IloT cybersecurity studies.

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU WILL GET TO DO (this is just a small sampling of work variety):

• Install, configure, and maintain industrial sensors (e.g., temperature, pressure, vibration, motion, optical, and force sensors) across multiple manufacturing stations.
• Integrate sensors with PLCs, ensuring accurate and reliable data flow into the lab's digital infrastructure.
• Assist in developing data acquisition pipelines to support AI-driven analytics.
• Troubleshoot hardware and software issues involving PLCs, Human-Machine Interfaces (HMis), and industrial communication protocols.
• Support experimental setups for research subprojects
• Document procedures, calibration data, and lab safety compliance related to equipment operation.
• Provide supervision, training and technical support to student researchers using lab equipment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Electrical and/or Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• Hands-on experience with sensor installation, wiring, and calibration.
• Working knowledge of PLC programming (Siemens, Allen-Bradley, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (Modbus, IO-Link, OPC UA, etc.).
• Strong troubleshootingand problem-solving skills.

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior working Experience at Cal Poly Pomona
• Familiarity with real-time data acquisition.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with interdisciplinary research teams.

TIMELINE AND COMMITMENT:

This position aligns with the lab's research objectives funded through NSF and institutional investments, running through 2030. The technician will play a critical role in supporting Subprojects 1-4, particularly in enabling sensor integration and PLC-driven data acquisition that underpin the success of the digital twin, AR/VR training, robotic manipulation, and IloT security research initiatives.

ABOUT US :

As the largest employer of students on the Cal Poly Pomona campus, the Enterprises offers valuable work experience and hands-on training to approximately 1,500 Cal Poly Pomona students each year. The Enterprises offers positions in various fields; whether it is in the area of technology, science, retail, culinary arts, hospitality1500 management, leadership or research grants, these student employees participate in Cal Poly Pomona's learn-by-doing philosophy and acquire practical skills in their designated field of study. The Enterprises also contributes operating support to nearly 1,100 Enterprises and scholarship programs every year, including Bronco Athletics and the Norman J. Priest Scholarship. In addition, the Enterprises administers grants and contracts, contributes to campus security, and supports several university publications. The Enterprises contributes over $1 million annually to Cal Poly Pomona.

CSU along with Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises strongly recommend faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare an exemption from doing so. The systemwide policy can be found at COVID-19 Vaccination Interim Policy and any questions may be sent to [e-mail] . Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises, Inc. may provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodation with the employer.