Human Resources

Research Engineer I

Apply now Job No: 26098
Department: Center for Technology & Training
Work Type: Staff - Full Time
Location: Main Campus (Houghton, MI)
Full Time / Part Time: Full Time
Categories: Research
Applications Close: Eastern Daylight Time

Ensured Consideration Date: July 27,2026

 

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 I for our Center for Technology & Training Department. This position serves as a technical expert in the structural design and analysis of bridges. This position will work as part of a team that provides training and customer support to bridge owners and their engineers/consultants on bridge design, load rating, and asset management. This position is also responsible for conducting applied research projects in fields related to transportation infrastructure.

The Center for Technology & Training (CTT) has a longstanding commitment to maintain a bridge design software package. This position will assist CTT programmers in interpretation and implementation of updates to the software based on the latest AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications.

This position also serves as an advocate and technical resource for Michigan’s local (city, village, county) transportation agencies through the Michigan Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP). LTAP is a longstanding national program housed within the CTT that seeks to bridge the gap between research and practice through education outreach in the areas of construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure.

The CTT started from a single sponsored program (LTAP) in 1986. The Michigan LTAP served as a gateway project that allowed the development and growth of soft-money-funded research staff working in the field of transportation. Since 1986, the center has grown in size and diversification, transitioning from a narrow focus on transportation to a broader civil and environmental infrastructure focus. The mission of the Center for Technology & Training is to foster innovation in the civil and environmental infrastructure management field by providing access to a highly talented, multidisciplinary, technical team capable of providing expert advice, data, tools, and training to both private entities and state, local, and federal governmental units that own and manage infrastructure.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

1. Provide technical expertise for engineering related software development and applied research projects.
2. Create, design, and present structural/transportation related training materials at webinars, workshops, and conferences throughout Michigan and nationally
3. Participate in research related activities awarded to the CTT in conjunction with other staff and faculty, including proposal writing, conducting research, planning and management of research projects, report preparation, and presentation of findings on an as-needed basis
4. Functional supervision may be exercised over support staff and student assistants
5. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
6. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

• Bachelor’s degree from ABET accredited college in civil engineering with a background in structural engineering
• Successful completion of the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam

Required Experience

• Experience in structural engineering
• Familiarity with design specifications

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Michigan Professional Engineer License or ability to secure one through reciprocity
• Advanced degree
• Working knowledge of AASHTO Bridge Design Specifications
• Experience developing and presenting training material for adult audiences as a subject matter expert • Experience in writing proposals and/or technical research reports
• Experience in project management
• Experience with projects at the county, city, or state level

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Excellent oral/written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal, customer service, organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft Office products
• Demonstrated ability to work with accuracy and attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take the initiative to solve problems
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work flexible hours
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to devote up to 15% of time to travel
• Possess a valid driver’s license and meet Michigan Tech University’s vehicle use requirements

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to speak before large and small groups of people
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

 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 noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

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

Background Check:
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

Shift

-

Pay Rate/Salary

The salary range for this position is $70k - $115k. However, the final salary will depend on experience and qualifications.

Title of Position Supervisor

Deputy Director

Posting Type

 Internal & External

Dependent on Funding

 Yes

Additional Information

Full ensured consideration will be given to applicants who apply on or before July 27,2026

This position is contingent upon the continued availability of external funding.

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)

Advertised: Eastern Daylight Time
Applications Close: Eastern Daylight Time

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