Research Engineer II

engineeringjobs.net, Inc.; Houghton (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan Technological University seeks a Research Engineer II for the Advanced Power Systems Research Center. The role executes tasks in vertical/horizontal teams, aligning with customers or supporting groups to advance research, proposals, and outcomes.

The position expects a BS in engineering, 4–6 years of related experience, and potential licensure as a Professional Engineer. Desirable are MS/PhD, additional degrees, and Lean/6-Sigma training. Travel and flexible hours may be required.

Qualifications

• BS degree in engineering or related field.
• 4–6 years of related work history.
• Licensed Professional Engineer preferred or eligible for licensure.
• MS or PhD (preferred) or additional degrees.
• Lean & 6-sigma training and application beneficial.
• Willingness to travel and work flexible hours as needed.

Responsibilities

• Balance multiple projects and contribute to progress on time and budget.
• Stay abreast of technologies, trends, and methods related to APSRC.
• Provide technical mentorship to junior staff and students.
• Author and Co-Author technical publications.
• Attend and present at professional conferences.

Skills

Engineering design

Power systems

Project management

Technical mentorship

Technical publications

Public speaking

Proposal development

Team collaboration

Education

BS Degree

MS or PhD (preferred)

Licensed Professional Engineer

Tools

PowerPoint

Job description

Ensured Consideration Date: September 30, 2026

Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological research university founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan's flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Research focus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive, environment, and aerospace.

The area's waters, forests, and snowfall support year-round recreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and paddling. The University is an integral part of the region, supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride in being a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense of adventure, and originality.

Summary

Michigan Technological University is seeking a Research Engineer II, for our Advanced Power Systems Research Center. The Advanced Power Systems Research Center (APSRC) is organized into a matrix structure with vertical teams organized around technical areas of revenue generation, and horizontal teams organized around support function. Both the vertical and horizontal groups are staffed by Research Professionals. The Research Engineer II executes a variety of tasks (as described below) either in direct alignment with the customer (when in a vertically oriented group), or in a supporting role (when in a horizontally oriented group).

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

1. Balance multiple projects while personally contributing to project progress by applying cumulative knowledge, on time and on budget.
2. Stay abreast of the latest technologies, trends, and methods in technology areas related to the APSRC mission.
3. Provide Technical Expertise and technical mentorship to junior staff and students.
4. Author and Co-Author technical publications.
5. Attend and give technical presentations at professional conferences.
6. Serve on review committees for technical papers and similar within their technical area.
7. The Research Engineer II's working in Vertical groups will have increased responsibility for securing funding, including:
   1. Contributing to the technical strategy
   2. Collecting & developing sub-elements of proposals and quotes
   3. Represent APSRC in a sales type setting as required
8. Developing presentations and presenting results to partners and customers.
9. Leading tasks within projects.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

• BS Degree

Required Experience

• 4 -- 6 yrs of related work history for entry into level.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Additional degree beyond minimum requirement, Additional BS in a different discipline or MS or PhD (preferred)
• Additional years of professional experience beyond minimum requirement
• Licensed Professional Engineer
• Experience Teaching
• Lean & 6-sigma training and application

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Demonstrated organizational skills, accuracy, and attention to detail
• Technical and non-technical problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of engineering research & development activities (hypothesis, concept, design, simulation, analysis, fabrication, experimentation)
• Demonstrated knowledge of the product development cycle used in industry.
• Excellent written communication including PowerPoint and authoring technical publications
• Excellent public speaking including delivering technical presentations
• Demonstrated initiative in tackling challenges and a hunger for more
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in at least one scientific and technical area
• Ability and willingness to travel
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours on occasion, when needed
• Demonstrated ability to work independently without daily interaction with direct supervisor
• Demonstrated ability to make technical decisions
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Experience working on research projects with at least a CUI security clearance

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

• The employee may occasionally be required to lift up to 50 lbf.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate, but can be high for short periods of time in the shop. Hearing protection is provided when noise levels are high.
• The employee may occasionally be required to travel.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

• Employee Safety Overview
• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
• Annual Data Security Training
• Annual Title IX Training
• Background Check: Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)

1

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

12 months&nbs