Senior Research Engineer

Michigan Technological University; Houghton (MI); On-site; USD 105,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan Tech in Houghton, MI, is seeking a Senior Research Engineer for the Advanced Power Systems Research Center (APSRC). The role blends research, proposal work, and mentorship across vertical and horizontal teams to advance engineering solutions and secure funding.

You will develop and implement procedures, publish results, present at conferences, and collaborate with customers and partners. A MS degree and 12–18 years of experience are expected; PE licensure and teaching experience are a

Qualifications

• MS Degree required for the Senior Research Engineer role.
• 12–18 years of related work history for entry into level.
• Desirable: additional degree, PE licensure, and teaching experience.
• Lean and 6-sigma training is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Balance multiple projects and contribute to progress across teams.
• Solve complex problems with innovation and creativity.
• Develop procedures and stay current with APSRC technologies.
• Provide technical mentorship to staff and students.
• Attend and present at professional conferences.
• Lead proposals, pricing, and client interactions as needed.
• Manage sub-project budgets and coordinate with partners.

Skills

Organizational skills

Budgeting

Problem solving

Communication

Public speaking

Customer service

Travel willingness

Independent work

Education

MS Degree

Additional degree preferred

Licensed Professional Engineer

Experience teaching

Job description

Ensured Consideration Date: 06 Oct 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

The Advanced Power Systems Research Center (APSRC) at Michigan Technological University 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 Senior Research Engineer 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

The Senior Research Engineer must be adept at a range of duties.

• Balance multiple projects while personally contributing to project progress by applying clearly extensive breadth and depth of knowledge.


• Solving complex problems through a high level of innovation, ingenuity, and creativity.


• Developing procedures.


• Stay abreast of the latest technologies, trends, and methods in technology areas related to the APSRC mission.


• Provide Technical Expertise and technical mentorship to junior staff and students.


• Author and Co-Author technical publications.


• Attend and give technical presentations at professional conferences.


• Serve on review committees for technical papers and similar within their technical area.


• The Senior Research Engineers working in Vertical groups will have increased responsibility for securing funding, including:


• Architecting and Lead Authoring proposals.


• Developing price quotes.


• Building & Maintaining business relationships.


• Lead meetings with customers in a sales type setting as required.


• Leading sub-parts of large projects, and being the PI on both small and large projects.


• Leading task force groups focused on both technical and non-technical outcomes.


• Project Management.


• Significant contributor to achieving department and group goals.


• Developing presentations and presenting results to partners and customers.


• Maintaining and working within budget on a sub-part of a large project or overall on a small project.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

MS Degree

Required Experience

12 - 18 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.


• Experience creating and following budgets.


• Technical and non-technical problem-solving skills.


• Demonstrated ability to establish a plan to address scientific or technical issues.


• Demonstrated technical knowledge of engineering research & development activities (hypothesis, concept, design, simulation, analysis, fabrication, experimentation).


• Excellent written communication including powerpoint and authoring technical publications.


• Excellent public speaking including delivering technical presentations.


• Excellent customer service skills.


• Demonstrated initiative in tackling challenges and a hunger for more.


• Demonstrated humility.


• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in at least one scientific and technical area.


• Demonstrated knowledge of the product development cycle used in industry.


• Demonstrated ability to make technical decisions that affect the overall success of a project.


• Exceptional Emotional Intelligence.


• Exceptional interpersonal skills.


• 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 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

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee may occasionally be required to lift up to 50 lbs.


• 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

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following training courses:

• Employee Safety Overview


• Annual Data Security Training


• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training


• Annual Title IX Training

Additional training will be required by the department on a periodic basis.

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

Shift 1st Shift

Pay Rate/Salary The salary range for this position is $104,500 - $115,500. However, thefinal salary will depend on experience and qualifications.

Title of Position Supervisor Manager

Posting Type Internal & External

Dependent on Funding Yes

Additional Information This position is contingent upon the continued availability of external funding.

Other Conditions Of Employment

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFR Part 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfree campus environment and actively promoting the health and safety of its community. Find our notice that outlines the University's policies, legal sanctions, health risks, and available support resources related to the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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