Open Rank Specialist in Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Engineering - Mechani

The Department of Mechanical Engineering and the newly established AIM Hub at the University of California, Riverside seeks a Laboratory Engineer to contribute specialized engineering expertise to research in advanced manufacturing, materials characterization, and digital engineering. Appointed in the University’s Specialist series, the engineer will work with faculty and research teams to plan and carry out experimental activities and develop integrated research workflows using industrial CT scanning, mechanical testing, collaborative robotics, data acquisition, high-performance computing, and digital twin platforms. Equipment operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting support the research program and the reliability of its experimental results. This position has no formal teaching responsibilities.

The incumbent will collaborate with faculty and research teams to plan, configure, and conduct specialized experiments and research activities in advanced manufacturing and digital engineering. Responsibilities include operating and optimizing industrial CT scanning, mechanical testing and loading systems, collaborative robots, instrumentation, and related experimental equipment to support research objectives. The incumbent will develop and document experimental procedures and integrated workflows, support calibration, data quality, repeatability, and safe operation.

Additional responsibilities include collecting, organizing, managing, and supporting the analysis of experimental data, as well as maintaining accurate technical records and research documentation. The incumbent will integrate laboratory equipment, local computing resources, and cloud platforms to support digital twin development, simulation, and research data workflows. The position will also involve supporting equipment installation, commissioning, configuration, vendor training, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and minor repairs as needed to sustain research activities.

The incumbent will contribute technical content to research reports, presentations, demonstrations, and scholarly publications, consistent with the work performed and applicable authorship standards. They will also train and mentor students and research users in equipment operation, experimental procedures, and digital engineering workflows, while sharing research methods and technical expertise. The incumbent will coordinate technical activities with research collaborators and industry partners when relevant to the research and engineer’s area of expertise.

• Jr. Specialist in Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Engineering - Mechanical Engineering. Appointees to the Junior rank should possess a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) or equivalent research experience
• Assistant/Associate Specialist in Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Engineering - Mechanical Engineering. Appointees to the Assistant rank should possess a master’s degree (or equivalent degree) or five years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization. Appointees to the Associate rank should possess a master’s degree (or equivalent degree) or five to ten years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization.
• Specialist in Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Engineering - Mechanical Engineering. Appointees to the full Specialist rank should possess a terminal degree (or equivalent degree) or ten or more years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization, This is an open search. To be considered for this position, applicants must possess a Bachelor’s (Jr. Specialist), Master’s (Assistant/Associate Specialist), or Terminal Degree. (Specialist) in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Materials Science, or a related field. Please review the minimum degree and experience requirements.

Jr. Specialist in Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Engineering - Mechanical Engineering. Appointees to the Junior rank should possess a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) or equivalent research experience

Assistant/Associate Specialist in Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Engineering - Mechanical Engineering. Appointees to the Assistant rank should possess a master’s degree (or equivalent degree) or five years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization. Appointees to the Associate rank should possess a master’s degree (or equivalent degree) or five to ten years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization.

Specialist in Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Engineering - Mechanical Engineering. Appointees to the full Specialist rank should possess a terminal degree (or equivalent degree) or ten or more years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization

Applicants should have experience or demonstrated capability in laboratory research, engineering equipment, experimental systems, robotics, mechanical testing, or engineering computing. Applicants should also be familiar with sensors, instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and best practices for collecting, analyzing, and managing research data. The ability to use programming or scripting tools such as Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or comparable tools in research and engineering workflows is expected. Candidates should demonstrate an interest in advanced manufacturing, digital engineering, automation, and collaborative research, along with strong communication skills and the ability to train and work effectively with students, faculty, research staff, and external collaborators., This is an open search. To be considered for this position, applicants must possess a Bachelor’s (Jr. Specialist), Master’s (Assistant/Associate Specialist), or Terminal Degree. (Specialist) in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Materials Science, or a related field. Please review the minimum degree and experience requirements.

Jr. Specialist in Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Engineering - Mechanical Engineering. Appointees to the Junior rank should possess a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) or equivalent research experience

Assistant/Associate Specialist in Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Engineering - Mechanical Engineering. Appointees to the Assistant rank should possess a master’s degree (or equivalent degree) or five years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization. Appointees to the Associate rank should possess a master’s degree (or equivalent degree) or five to ten years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization.

Specialist in Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Engineering - Mechanical Engineering. Appointees to the full Specialist rank should possess a terminal degree (or equivalent degree) or ten or more years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization

Applicants should have experience or demonstrated capability in laboratory research, engineering equipment, experimental systems, robotics, mechanical testing, or engineering computing. Applicants should also be familiar with sensors, instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and best practices for collecting, analyzing, and managing research data. The ability to use programming or scripting tools such as Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or comparable tools in research and engineering workflows is expected. Candidates should demonstrate an interest in advanced manufacturing, digital engineering, automation, and collaborative research, along with strong communication skills and the ability to train and work effectively with students, faculty, research staff, and external collaborators, Position title: Jr. Specialist in Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Engineering - Mechanical Engineering. Appointees to the Junior rank should possess a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) or equivalent research experience, Position title: Assistant/Associate Specialist in Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Engineering - Mechanical Engineering. Appointees to the Assistant rank should possess a master’s degree (or equivalent degree) or five years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization. Appointees to the Associate rank should possess a master’s degree (or equivalent degree) or five to ten years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization., Position title: Specialist in Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Engineering - Mechanical Engineering. Appointees to the full Specialist rank should possess a terminal degree (or equivalent degree) or ten or more years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization

Advancement through the specialist ranks at the University of California is through a series of structured, merit-based evaluations, occurring every 2-3 years, each of which includes substantial input. The appointment is expected to begin January 4, 2027. The duration of the appointment will be for one year with the possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of funding. This will be either a part-time or full-time position, and the salary will range from $57,000-$201,700 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience, in accordance with the University of California guidelines see: Specialist Series Salary Scale Table 24B.

The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) and the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). A commitment to the UCR mission is a preferred qualification., The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) and the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). A commitment to the UCR mission (https://apro.ucr.edu/mission-statement) is a preferred qualification.

We seek to hire scholars who will both advance our research directions and effectively educate our undergraduate and graduate students, while also engaging with University and Professional service activities. Research and teaching statements that are included with application materials are opportunities for candidates to share knowledge, experience, and goals that support the mission of UCR. For more information on UC’s criteria for successful faculty, refer to the Academic Personnel Manual (APM) 210 - Criteria for Appointment, Promotion, and Appraisal (https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-210.pdf). For Non-Senate faculty positions, review criteria and duties are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, State, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer. A Misconduct Disclosure Survey will be completed through Truescreen, which is the vendor that administers this process for the campus.