R&D Prototyping & Lab Operations Specialist

Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Tuition benefits

Retirement plan

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, invites applications for a National Robotics Engineering Center staff role: R&D Prototyping & Lab Operations Specialist. You will oversee lab logistics, prototype assembly and testing, and maintain test infrastructure for fast-moving hardware projects.

The role emphasizes hands-on build, problem-solving, safety, and collaboration across engineering teams; minimum 3 years in a hardware lab and a BS in mechanical engineering or related field are

Qualifications

• 3+ years hands-on experience in an R&D lab, rapid prototyping facility, or similar high-ambiguity hardware environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or related technical discipline (equivalent hands-on experience will be heavily considered).
• Strong reading of engineering drawings and CAD models (SolidWorks/Fusion360) to verify dimensions.
• Experience setting up data acquisition, sensors, or test equipment.

Responsibilities

• Prototyping, assembly, and test operations in a lab setting.
• Co-build early-stage hardware prototypes and manage test infrastructure.
• Maintain lab readiness, safety, and organization; coordinate tools and IT for lab equipment.
• Serve as liaison with campus shop and external fabrication vendors.
• Support engineering teams by managing mechanical fit-checks of PCBs into enclosures.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

CAD skills

Data acquisition

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Fusion 360

Job description

Why join us

At the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC), it is our engineers and technicians who drive the breakthroughs that define our success. The members of our technical staff collaborate closely with leadership and multidisciplinary teams to design, build, and deploy sophisticated robotic solutions that address complex challenges in industrial, commercial and government sectors. Each project benefits from their expertise, creativity, and hands-on problem-solving, fueling progress and innovation across the organization. We are a fast-paced, real-world prototyping lab within the university that bridges the gap between high-level concepts and functional, rugged hardware. We don’t just design on screens; we build one-off systems that must operate under demanding, real-world conditions. We foster a culture of professionalism, respect, and collaboration, offering a flexible and encouraging environment where you can sharpen your skills, lead impactful projects, and take control of your career development.

R&D Prototyping & LabOperations Specialist is a dynamic role to serve as the operational co-pilot for our hardware team. This is a unique, highly autonomous role for a skilled builder who possesses both mechanical/hardware intuition and a passion for operational excellence. You will oversee lab logistics, protect the focus of our engineering team, co-build early-stage physical prototypes, and own the test infrastructure that ensures our designs work the first time. If you are a proactive problem-solver who notices what needs to be done before being asked, thrives on variety, and loves turning looser requirements into physical reality, this lab is your sandbox.

Your primary responsibilities are to:

• Prototyping, Assembly, & Test Operations
  • Co-Build & Early Assembly: Partner closely with the Hardware Lead during early-stage, first-time builds. Absorb design intent dynamically, handle physical assembly, and identify mechanical fit or tolerance issues early.
  • Test Infrastructure & Execution: Own physical testing from setup to teardown. Design and build custom test fixtures, execute repetitive and cyclic test protocols meticulously, record detailed data, and present organized results to the design team.
  • DFM & Documentation Catch-Up: Capture the as-built state of one-off prototypes. Update CAD models, take build photos, and note assembly steps to establish repeatable workflows and tribal knowledge retention.
  • Vendor & Shop Liaison: Act as the primary interface with the campus machine shop and external fabrication vendors. Deliver prints, inspect incoming custom parts for accuracy, and triage out-of-spec components.
• Lab Logistics & Supply Chain Management
  • Materials & Consumables Ownership: Proactively manage inventory for all lab consumables (fasteners, adhesives, stock materials, PPE). Implement and maintain a lightweight reorder system to eliminate project downtime.
  • Hardware Intake & Logistics: Own the shipping and receiving process for the lab. Retrieve packages from central shipping, verify contents against purchase orders, organize materials, and ensure engineers have immediate access to their parts.
  • Lab Readiness & Maintenance: Maintain a safe, clean, and highly organized workspace. Ensure tools are properly maintained, calibrated, and returned. Coordinate basic IT and firmware updates for lab equipment and testing PCs.
• Engineering Team Support
  • Operational Buffer: Handle administrative and logistical friction (tracking delayed orders, resolving vendor errors, organizing project tear-downs) to isolate design engineers from distractions.
  • Cross-Disciplinary Integration: Assist the ElectricalEngineering team by managing the mechanical fit-checks of custom PCBs into physical enclosures.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience: 3+ years of hands-on experience in an R&D lab, rapid prototyping facility, custom fabrication shop, makerspace, or similar high-ambiguity hardware environment.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline (equivalent hands-on experience and a proven track record of complex physical builds will be heavily considered in lieu of a degree).
• Technical Skills:

• Strong mechanical aptitude and safety-first mindset using basic shop tools (saws, drills, hand tools, lightweight machining equipment).
• Familiarity with reading engineering drawings, schematics, and navigating 3D CAD models (e.g., SolidWorks, Fusion360) to verify dimensions.
• Experience setting up basic data acquisition, sensors, or test equipment.

• Independent judgment and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to effectively interact with a multifaceted population of internal and external partners
• Ability to work on multiple projects at the same time

We especially want to hear from you if you have experience or qualifications in any of the following areas:

• Logistical Paranoia: You are highly organized and naturally notice when supplies are low, tools are misplaced, or a workspace is losing its efficiency.
• Comfort with Ambiguity: You do not need a 50-page manual to start working. You enjoy taking a rough sketch or a verbal concept, asking the right questions, and figuring out the physical execution.
• The Co-Pilot Mindset: You are confident enough to step in, take a task off an engineer's plate, and finish a build or test independently, knowing exactly when to run with a solution and when to ask for clarification.
• Focus & Patience: You possess the unique mindset required to carefully run a critical physical test 100 times in a row without cutting corners, recognizing that high-quality data is the foundation of good engineering.

Other Requirements:

• Successful pre-employment background check

This position will require work on a variety of projects, including projects that involve military/defense applications and/or are funded by military/defense sponsors.

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function

Engineering, Research and Project Scientists

Position Type

Staff – Regular

Full Time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

Salary

More Information:

• Please visit Why Carnegie Mellon to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
• Click here to view a listing of employee benefits
• Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
• Statement of Assurance

Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal OpportunityEmployer/Disability/Veteran

Benefits include a comprehensive package of medical, dental, vision insurance, retirement savings with employer contributions, tuition benefits, paid time off, holidays, life and accidental death and disability insurance.