What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mechanical Design Engineer position at Oregon State University?
Department
Crop and Soil Science
Special Instructions To Applicants
When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.
OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.
Note: All job offers are contingent upon Human Resources final approval
Job Description
This recruitment will be used to fill one part-time (a maximum of 24 hours per week) Mechanical Design Engineer position for the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University (OSU).
Join a hands-on research team in the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University, where you will turn ideas into real, working hardware. As a Mechanical Design Engineer, you will design and manufacture physical parts that keep an existing automation system running and improving. This is an excellent opportunity for a student who enjoys CAD, prototyping, and seeing their designs come to life. You will build practical engineering skills, collaborate with a supportive team, and contribute directly to innovative agricultural research.
The Undergraduate Student Technical Assistant performs routine to complex technical tasks in support of research or administrative work which includes laboratory, green house, field plot, data collection, simple analysis, or the care and maintenance of animals.
Position Duties
Skills
OSU is committed to ensuring students are prepared for success after graduation through intentional skill development as student employees. The competencies students develop while working at OSU are defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as the essential skills employers seek in their hires. In this position, students learn and build vital career-readiness skills in the primary areas below:
Communication, Critical Thinking, Teamwork, Professionalism
Qualifications
Full Employment Eligibility Requirements can be found here: https://hr.oregonstate.edu/student-employment-manual/500-employment-eligibility-requirements
Must be academically enrolled in a high school, community college, or university and pursuing a program or course of study Must meet Academic Standing Requirements; students on academic suspension are not eligible for employment Must meet the applicable minimal enrollment standard
Experience with electronic components and microcontrollers (e.g., Arduino)
Working Conditions/Schedule
Part-time, up to 24 hours per week, with a flexible schedule arranged around the student’s class commitments. Work is performed primarily in a lab/maker space setting on the Oregon State University campus.
Salary Range
Anticipated Start Date:
2026-08-01
Crop and Soil Science
Special Instructions To Applicants
When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:
- A Resume
- Unofficial Transcript
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.
OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.
Note: All job offers are contingent upon Human Resources final approval
Job Description
This recruitment will be used to fill one part-time (a maximum of 24 hours per week) Mechanical Design Engineer position for the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University (OSU).
Join a hands-on research team in the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University, where you will turn ideas into real, working hardware. As a Mechanical Design Engineer, you will design and manufacture physical parts that keep an existing automation system running and improving. This is an excellent opportunity for a student who enjoys CAD, prototyping, and seeing their designs come to life. You will build practical engineering skills, collaborate with a supportive team, and contribute directly to innovative agricultural research.
The Undergraduate Student Technical Assistant performs routine to complex technical tasks in support of research or administrative work which includes laboratory, green house, field plot, data collection, simple analysis, or the care and maintenance of animals.
Position Duties
- Design and manufacture mechanical parts to deliver specific functions identified by the team
- Collaborate with the team to test and refine the designed parts to satisfaction
- Assist with integrating designed parts into the existing automation system
- Document all development procedures and results
Skills
OSU is committed to ensuring students are prepared for success after graduation through intentional skill development as student employees. The competencies students develop while working at OSU are defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as the essential skills employers seek in their hires. In this position, students learn and build vital career-readiness skills in the primary areas below:
Communication, Critical Thinking, Teamwork, Professionalism
Qualifications
Full Employment Eligibility Requirements can be found here: https://hr.oregonstate.edu/student-employment-manual/500-employment-eligibility-requirements
- High School student: Regularly enrolled in a high school or participating in a home-schooling program
- Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate student: 6 credit hours per term
- Undergraduate international student: 12 credit hours per term*
- Graduate student officially admitted to Graduate School: 5 credit hours per term
- Graduate international student officially admitted to Graduate School: 9 credit hours per term*
- International students may be allowed to carry fewer hours than specified above and still be considered “full-time” by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A reduced course load is approved by the Office of International Services (OIS), and must be provided to the Student Employment Center.
- Working knowledge of prototyping tools and techniques
- Proven experience using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software and 3D printers
- Knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes
- Detail oriented, responsible, with excellent problem-solving skills
- Ability to work in a collaborative team environment
- Good communication skills
Experience with electronic components and microcontrollers (e.g., Arduino)
Working Conditions/Schedule
Part-time, up to 24 hours per week, with a flexible schedule arranged around the student’s class commitments. Work is performed primarily in a lab/maker space setting on the Oregon State University campus.
Salary Range
Anticipated Start Date:
2026-08-01