Research Engineer IV

About the role

Engineering has been part of Texas A&M University since its opening in 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. Today, the College of Engineering is the largest college on the College Station campus with more than 25,000 engineering students enrolled in 15 departments. Its mission is to serve Texas, the nation and the global community by providing engineering graduates who are well-founded in engineering fundamentals, instilled with the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior, and prepared to meet the complex technical challenges of society. As the research arm of Engineering, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) is a state agency within the Texas A&M University System with a mission to improve lives through basic and applied engineering research, workforce development and technology transition. Our collaborations with industry, academia and government provide cutting-edge solutions to global technical challenges. We are deeply committed to recruiting and retaining a talented workforce that embraces our core values of Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Service, by offering competitive salaries, an array of benefits, an extensive support network, and above all, an enriching and highly collaborative working community that is deeply passionate about our vision for higher education, research, and public service. Work Location: Bryan, TX.

Responsibilities

• Independently manages day-to-day technical operations of the Indoor Environments Lab in coordination with the Laboratory Director and the Lab Principal Research Engineer and Manager, including liaison with faculty, students, staff, sponsors, and outside agencies to meet lab and program objectives.
• Serves as the lab's primary technical engineer for fan/HVAC performance testing conducted under ANSI/AMCA 210 and ASHRAE 51, including test setup, execution, data analysis, and technical sign-off on test reports.
• Owns and maintains the laboratory's ISO/IEC 17025 Quality Management System, including documentation control, internal audits, calibration program oversight, and preparation for accreditation assessments.
• Serves as the primary technical lead (not backup) for the Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) annual verification program — including testing under HVI Publications 915, 916, and 920 — the AHRI Standard 430 (Central Station Air-Handling Units) certification program, and the US EPA Energy Star program, ensuring ongoing compliance with all program requirements.
• Supervises, trains, and evaluates graduate assistants, technicians, and junior engineering staff; develops and delivers technical training and laboratory safety programs; coordinates testing schedules and workload assignments.
• Reviews and approves quotes, test agreements, invoices, status reports, and final test reports prior to client delivery; serves as primary point of technical contact for sponsor/client communications.
• Contributes to the development of research/testing proposals, grant applications, and manuscript preparation for publication or standards submission.
• Manages equipment and instrumentation inventory, procurement specifications, and calibration scheduling to ISO 17025 standards.
• Oversees intake, testing coordination, and end-of-life/disposal processing of client test specimens, including client-facing logistics.
• Maintains and improves the lab's task/organizational tracking systems and calendar of program action items.
• Assists the Laboratory Director and the Lab Principal Research Engineer and Manager with lab budgeting, pricing, and procurement input as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Six years of related experience.

Qualifications

• Direct experience with ANSI/AMCA 210 and/or ASHRAE 51 fan and airflow performance test standards.
• Direct experience with HVI Publications 915, 916, and 920 test procedures.
• Familiarity with the AHRI Standard 430 certification/verification program.
• Familiarity with airflow test performance apparatus and test rig operation.
• Machining and/or fabrication experience.
• Mechanical engineering design/analysis experience.
• Experience operating within an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory, including quality manager or technical manager–level responsibility.
• Prior supervisory, team-lead, or training responsibility in a research or testing laboratory environment.
• Experience supporting research proposal development, grant writing, or technical manuscript preparation.

Skills

• Advanced knowledge of engineering/scientific research principles, protocols, and testing methodologies, with demonstrated ability to independently design and lead test programs.
• Advanced familiarity with ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory quality standards, documentation management, and quality assurance/control.
• Strong familiarity with mechanical and electrical machinery, instrumentation, and laboratory test systems relevant to fan/HVAC testing, including airflow test apparatus.
• Practical mechanical/machining skill applicable to fabrication, modification, or maintenance of test rigs and specimens.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, train, and mentor engineering and technical staff.
• Ability to independently manage client and sponsor relationships, including technical negotiations and deliverable sign-off.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to draw