What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Engineer II position at Michigan Technological University?
Ensured Consideration Date: September 30, 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
Michigan Technological University is seeking a Research Engineer II, for our Advanced Power Systems Research Center. The Advanced Power Systems Research Center (APSRC) 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 Research Engineer II 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 Research Engineer II must be adept at a range of duties.
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.
Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.
Required University Training
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
Pay Rate/Salary
The anticipated salary range for this position is $83 - $110,000; however, the final salary is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.
Title of Position Supervisor
Manager
Posting Type
Internal and External
Dependent on Funding
Yes
Additional Information
This position is contingent upon the continued availability of external funding.
Full ensured consideration will be given to applicants who apply on or before September 30, 2026
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 hr-help@mtu.edu.
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.
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. Michigan Tech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the Michigan Tech Public Safety.
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, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.
Required Education, Certifications, Licensures* (minimum requirements)
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
Michigan Technological University is seeking a Research Engineer II, for our Advanced Power Systems Research Center. The Advanced Power Systems Research Center (APSRC) 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 Research Engineer II 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 Research Engineer II must be adept at a range of duties.
- Balance multiple projects while personally contributing to project progress by applying cumulative knowledge, on time and on budget.
- 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 Research Engineer II’s working in Vertical groups will have increased responsibility for securing funding, including:
- Contributing to the technical strategy
- Collecting & developing sub-elements of proposals and quotes
- Represent APSRC in a sales type setting as required
- Developing presentations and presenting results to partners and customers
- Leading tasks within projects
- BS Degree
- 4 – 6 yrs of related work history for entry into level.
- 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
- Demonstrated organizational skills, accuracy, and attention to detail
- Technical and non-technical problem-solving skills
- Demonstrated technical knowledge of engineering research & development activities (hypothesis, concept, design, simulation, analysis, fabrication, experimentation)
- Demonstrated knowledge of the product development cycle used in industry.
- Excellent written communication including PowerPoint and authoring technical publications
- Excellent public speaking including delivering technical presentations
- Demonstrated initiative in tackling challenges and a hunger for more
- Demonstrated knowledge and skill in at least one scientific and technical area
- 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 make technical decisions
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff.
- Experience working on research projects with at least a CUI security clearance
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 lbf.
- 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
Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.
Required University Training
- Employee Safety Overview
- Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
- Annual Data Security Training
- Annual Title IX Training
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
Pay Rate/Salary
The anticipated salary range for this position is $83 - $110,000; however, the final salary is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.
Title of Position Supervisor
Manager
Posting Type
Internal and External
Dependent on Funding
Yes
Additional Information
This position is contingent upon the continued availability of external funding.
Full ensured consideration will be given to applicants who apply on or before September 30, 2026
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 hr-help@mtu.edu.
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.
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. Michigan Tech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the Michigan Tech Public Safety.
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, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.
Required Education, Certifications, Licensures* (minimum requirements)
Salary : $83,000 - $110,000