Temporary Researcher

University of Colorado Boulder; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 48,000 - 69,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Job summary

BioServe Space Technologies, part of the University of Colorado Boulder ecosystem, seeks a hands-on engineering professional with expertise in electronics and electro-mechanical systems to support design, assembly, integration, and testing of biotechnology payloads for spaceflight.

You will integrate electronic assemblies, sensors, data acquisition and control systems, and thermal management hardware into verified payloads.

Qualifications

• Associate Degree in electrical or mechanical field required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering preferred.
• Hands-on experience with electronics and electro-mechanical applications, including harness design and assembly.

Responsibilities

• Electronics assembly and wiring harness implementation from schematics and requirements.
• Design, layout and production of PCBs for small quantities.
• Test engineering to verify hardware integrity (isolation, grounding, oscilloscope checks).
• Maintain and organize hardware labs, tools and inventory.

Skills

Electronics assembly

Wire harness design

PCB layout

Electrical testing

Machining (CNC)

Education

Associate Degree in electrical or mechanical field

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Oscilloscope

Soldering (hand/through-hole)

Reflow solder oven

CNC milling

Sheet metal work

Job description

Job Summary

BioServe Space Technologies is seeking a hands-on engineering professional with demonstrated expertise in electronics and electro-mechanical systems to support the design, assembly, integration, and testing of highly instrumented biotechnology payloads for spaceflight. The position involves integrating electronic assemblies, sensors, data acquisition and control systems, thermal management hardware, and fluid-handling components into fully functional, verified payloads. Responsibilities also include maintaining hardware and electronics laboratories, managing tools and instrumentation, supporting flight hardware documentation and NASA qualification requirements, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary engineering team. The role requires strong practical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to supervise and perform hardware assembly and testing. Aerospace experience is desirable. The position may also support student involvement in engineering projects as part of the University of Colorado’s educational mission.

Summary

BioServe Space Technologies is seeking a hands‑on engineering professional with demonstrated expertise in electronics and electro‑mechanical systems to support the design, assembly, integration, and testing of highly instrumented biotechnology payloads for spaceflight. The position involves integrating electronic assemblies, sensors, data acquisition and control systems, thermal management hardware, and fluid‑handling components into fully functional, verified payloads. Responsibilities also include maintaining hardware and electronics laboratories, managing tools and instrumentation, supporting flight hardware documentation and NASA qualification requirements, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary engineering team. The role requires strong practical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to supervise and perform hardware assembly and testing. Aerospace experience is desirable. The position may also support student involvement in engineering projects as part of the University of Colorado’s educational mission.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

BioServe Space Technologies, a space life sciences research center, within the Ann and HJ Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences. We develop life science research and hardware that is launched to Low Earth Orbit and beyond.

Responsibilities

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Electronics assembly (small R&D quantities): hand‑solder (through-hole / surface mount).
• Wire harness / connector implementation design and assembly (solder, crimp) from interface schematics / functional requirements, mechanical assembly and interfaces. Specialty training and relevant certification advantageous / desired. Experience with NASA/Aerospace standards.
• Electronics and electro‑mechanical design / prototyping of ground support equipment and prototypes from functional requirements..
• In‑house design, layout and production of small quantities of PCBs (reflow solder oven, hand solder connectors).
• Electronics and electro‑mechanic assembly proven skills to high reliability standards with relevant tool and machining experience.
• Experience with machining (CNC mill, sheet metal work) for electronics assemblies and ground support equipment hardware advantageous (in‑house machine shop is available as is a machinist on staff).
• Electronics and electro‑mechanic test engineering skills to test and verify as built hardware (isolation, bonding, grounding, basic oscilloscope verifications for inrush current).
• As needed, laboratory maintenance (instrument calibration, stock / ordering / inventory management) and organization of electro‑mechanical hardware assembly, periodic instrument and laboratory equipment verification (ESD, DVM, tools and lab instruments).
• Assist and support our internal undergraduate and young graduate students (4-6 max.) in the areas of electronics and electro‑mechanical integration and test for BioServe projects.
• Aid in the development of test and assembly protocols, user manuals and operations manuals.

What We Can Offer

The hire rate for this temporary, part-time position is $35.00-$50.00 per hour.

Benefits

Temporary positions at the University of Colorado are not benefits-eligible, however, all positions are eligible for paid sick leave .

Be Statements

Be resourceful. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Associate Degree in an electrical or mechanical field of study.
• 1-5 years of hands‑on experience with electronics and electro‑mechanical applications including harness design and assembly.
• Electronics and electro‑mechanic test engineering skills to test and verify as built hardware (isolation, bonding, grounding, basic oscilloscope verifications for inrush current).

What We Would Like You To Have

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Familiarity with PCB design, layout and assembly.
• Familiarity with NASA and aerospace industry standards.