Research & Development Engineer I

About the role

The Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University is seeking a Research & Development Engineer I to join the Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science (MEMS) team. This hands-on role involves designing, building, testing, and maintaining specialized equipment and teaching laboratories, supporting faculty, guiding students, and contributing to the development of innovative engineering solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, test, and maintain specialized instruments, equipment, and experimental systems that support engineering research and education across the MEMS curriculum.
• Support and administer teaching laboratories, providing primary and backup laboratory operations for core undergraduate and master’s courses, including Controls, Mechatronics, Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Materials, Dynamics, and Mechanical Design.
• Train, supervise, and guide students in general fabrication spaces, machine shops, and additive manufacturing environments, ensuring safe and effective use of tools and equipment.
• Integrate hardware and software systems, including analog and digital experiments, data acquisition hardware, microcontrollers, CAD/CAM tools, and computer-based control systems using platforms such as LabVIEW and Python.
• Manage laboratory operations, including equipment procurement, inventory tracking, scheduling systems, routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of apparatus and systems.
• Provide engineering consultation to faculty and researchers, support design-and-build instructional projects, maintain technical documentation and manuals, train student assistants, and continuously improve laboratory teaching modules to maintain the department’s technical relevance.

Requirements

• Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related natural science (Physics or Chemistry)
• Preferred: Teaching assistant or instructional laboratory support experience, demonstrated experience completing design-and-build engineering projects, familiarity with machine shop equipment and general fabrication techniques, exposure to additive manufacturing / 3D printing technologies, experience with programming, data acquisition, or laboratory instrumentation.

Qualifications

• Strong foundational knowledge of engineering principles and applied sciences
• Ability to perform hands-on technical work in laboratory and fabrication environments
• Commitment to safety, collaboration, and inclusive learning environments

Skills

• Proficiency with mechanical, electrical, electronic, video, and optical equipment
• Experience with LabVIEW and Python

Benefits

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $59,829.00 to USD $88,740.00. The university considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke offers comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/.

Pay

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $59,829.00 to USD $88,740.00.

Schedule

This position is onsite, in a university environment.