What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Engineer, Civil Engineering position at Vanderbilt University?
The Associate Engineer supports research, instructional, and operational activities within the structures laboratory. This role contributes to the physical testing and analysis of materials and structural systems, including evaluation of mechanical, structural, and thermodynamic properties. The position also supports hands-on learning, student engagement, and interdisciplinary engineering projects.
About the Work Unit:
Vanderbilt’s Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) department vision is to be one of the foremost Civil and Environmental Engineering programs in effecting tangible change to resolve problems of critical importance to humanity in the built environment and the natural world through inspired teaching, research, and service, and to maintain a culture of leadership within an educational setting that values research innovation and impact. CEE prepares students to be leaders in Civil and Environmental Engineering in an era of rapid evolution of the profession, to perform innovative basic and applied research that will meet critical challenges in infrastructure and natural resources and provides service to institutions and government agencies that assist in resolving societal problems.
Key Functions and Expected Performance:
• Support laboratory instruction for courses including ES 140, Fluid Mechanics, Civil & Environmental Engineering Lab, Geotechnical Lab, and more in collaboration with the Staff Engineer.
• Contribute to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) student chapter, including fabrication and development of competition projects such as the steel bridge and concrete canoe.
• Provide technical guidance and support to ASCE student teams participating in regional competitions.
• Train and assist undergraduate students in the use of laboratory instrumentation and equipment related to structural engineering applications.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary student teams (e.g., mechanical and biomedical engineering) on senior design and research projects.
• Engage with students daily to support learning, safety, and project execution in laboratory environments.
• Assist in planning and execution of departmental programs, including symposiums, workshops, and special events.
• Provide hands-on instruction to senior engineering students in shop skills such as welding, woodworking, and concrete mixing/pouring to support capstone design projects.
• Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot laboratory instrumentation to ensure accurate data collection and research outcomes.
• Stay current with research methodologies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements applicable to laboratory operations.
• Support facility-related activities, including mechanical and electrical setup, upgrades, and maintenance.
• Train users on the safe and effective use of tools, equipment, and laboratory resources.
• Assist faculty and research staff with experimental setup and execution of research projects.
• Support general maintenance and organization of CEE laboratories and office spaces.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have supervisory responsibility. This position reports administratively to the CEE Senior Administrative Officer and functionally to the Staff Engineer.
Education and Certifications:
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Science or technology is necessary.
Knowledge of civil and structural engineering practices and methods is strongly preferred.
Experience and Skills:
• Proficiency in welding, with the ability to provide introductory instruction in MIG and TIG welding required.
• Experience in fabrication and design of metal and wood structures and fixtures required.
• Experience operating a forklift strongly preferred.
• Experience in concrete mixing.
• Experience in construction.