Research Engineer III - Software Developer

Michigan Technological University; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI is seeking a Software Developer/Research Engineer III to join MTRI on-site in Ann Arbor. You will collaborate with senior engineers and scientists to research, develop, and evaluate algorithms for signal and image processing, prototype software, and deploy solutions for government and commercial customers.

The ideal candidate has an advanced degree in CS/EE or mathematics with substantial software development experience, and proficiency in

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in CS/CS&E, mathematics, electrical engineering, or related field with substantial software development experience.
• Experience design, implementation, and evaluation of algorithms.
• Proficiency in Python, C++, MATLAB; strong mathematical and analytical abilities.
• Led software development projects and teams.

Responsibilities

• Participate as a team member on multi-disciplinary research for government and societal needs.
• Provide technical and numerical support for projects in mathematics, statistics, programming, and signal processing.
• Lead software development projects and coordinate teams of junior developers.
• Develop software to prototype and evaluate signal processing and machine learning algorithms.
• Deploy cloud computing architectures for data processing.

Skills

Python

C++

MATLAB

Signal processing

Machine learning

Distributed computing

Education

Master's degree or higher in CS/CE/Math/EE or related field

Bachelor’s degree in CS/CE/Math/Geospatial data science/EE or related field with 8 years experience

Tools

ROS

GDAL

CI/CD pipelines

Job description

Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological researchuniversity founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus issituated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic UpperPeninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the bestuniversities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’sflagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Researchfocus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive,environment, and aerospace.

The area’s waters, forests, and snowfall support year-roundrecreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, andpaddling. The University is an integral part of the region,supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride inbeing a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense ofadventure, and originality.

Summary

MTRI is seeking a motivated professional to help support multipleprojects for our government and commercial customers. The SoftwareDeveloper will work with senior engineers and scientists toresearch, develop, and evaluate algorithms for a variety of signaland/or image processing applications. The successful candidate willhave a solid background in computer science with strong skills insoftware prototyping, software design, and deployment. The positionis on-site, located at MTRI in Ann Arbor, MI (www.mtri.org).

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

1. Participate as an integral team member on multi-disciplinaryresearch relating to applying technological skills to solvinggovernmental and societal needs.
2. Provide technical, analytical and numerical support for researchand development projects in the areas of mathematics, statistics,programming, electrical engineering, remote sensing, andsignal processing.
3. Lead software development projects and coordinate teams ofjunior software developers.
4. Develop software to prototype and evaluate signal processing,remote sensing, and/or machine learning algorithms.
5. Assist with defining software objectives by analyzing userrequirements, system features, and functionality.
6. Recommend software solutions by comparing the pros and cons ofcustom versus off-the-shelf alternatives.
7. Coordinate requirements and schedules, contribute to teammeetings, troubleshoot development and production problems.
8. Develop software documentation and assistance tools.
9. Continue to improve performance by being aware of newtechnologies and software products, participating in educationalopportunities, reading professional publications, and participatingin professional organizations.
10. Accept ownership of, and responsibility for responding to, newand varied requests.
11. Assist research staff with deployment of cloud computingarchitectures for data processing.
12. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices toeveryday work. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, andpractices to everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

• Master’s degree or higher in computer science, computerengineering, mathematics, electrical engineering, or a similarrelated field, and 5 years of professional software developmentexperience
• OR
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering,mathematics, geospatial data science, electrical engineering, or asimilar related field, and 8 years professional softwaredevelopment experience

Required Experience

1. Experience in the design, implementation, and evaluation ofalgorithms.
2. Professional experience in software development.
3. Proficiency in at least one of the following: Python, C++,MATLAB,
4. Proficient in at least three of the following: appliedmathematics, physics, electrical engineering, software design,signal processing, image processing, machine learning,reinforcement learning, numerical analysis, statistics, robotics,or distributed computing.
5. Proficient in Linux or other Unix-based operating system.
6. Experience leading software development teams.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

1. Experience in or coursework covering geospatial data or imageprocessing.
2. Experience with sensors or signal processing.
3. Experience with one or more of the following: database designand maintenance, CI/CD pipelines, ROS (Robotic Operating System),geospatial data processing (GDAL or similar),
4. Experience working with multidisciplinary teams to performresearch, solve technical problems, and/or develop softwaretools.
5. Experience with the deployment of cloud-based computingarchitectures.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

1. Ability and willingness to obtain a Department of Defensesecurity clearance, which requires United States citizenship.Obtaining a national security clearance while holding a dualcitizenship will not be possible when the foreign country poses arisk to the national security of the United States.
2. Excellent interpersonal, oral/written, and presentationcommunication skills.
3. Demonstrated ability to participate in team projects.
4. Demonstrated commitment to contribute to a safe workenvironment.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

1. Holds active Department of Defense security clearance
2. Ability to clearly communicate complex ideas at meetings andsymposia.
3. Ability to contribute to competitive grant proposals.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics describedhere are representative of those an employee encounters whileperforming the essential functions of this job. Reasonableaccommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilitiesto perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually low tomoderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receivethe following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

• 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 consideredfinalized until the required background check has been performedand the results received and assessed.

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

1

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

12 months

Shift

-

Pay Rate/Salary

Negotiable based on experience

Title of Position Supervisor

Research Engineer III

Posting Type

Internal and External

Dependent on Funding

Yes

Additional Information

This position is contingent upon the continued availability ofexternal funding.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able toperform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listedare representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilityrequired. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentialfunctions.

If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodationsduring Michigan Tech’s hiring process please notify the HumanResources office at 906-487-2280 or [e-mail].

Other Conditions of Employment: Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuringtheir eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen ornational of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, aforeign national authorized to work in the United States withoutthe need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effectivedate of your appointment, and maintain eligibility withoutsponsorship throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal OpportunityEducational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that providesequal opportunity for all, including protected veterans andindividuals with disabilities.

The AnnualSecurity and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safetyand disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policiesand fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. MichiganTech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact theMichigan Tech Public Safety.

In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools andCommunities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFRPart 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfreecampus environment and actively promoting the health and safety ofits community. Find ournotice that outlines the University's policies, legalsanctions, health risks, and available support resources related tothe unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs andalcohol.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures* (minimumrequirements)

Advertised:14 Jul 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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