Research Engineer I - Software Developer

Department: Vice Pres For Research

Summary

MTRI is seeking a motivated professional to help support multiple projects for our government and commercial customers. The Software Developer will work with senior engineers and scientists to engineer software to support the research, development, and evaluation of algorithms for a variety of statistical models, signal, and/or image processing applications. The successful candidate will have a solid background in computer science with strong skills in software engineering, prototyping, and design. The position is on-site, located at MTRI in Ann Arbor, MI (www.mtri.org).

Responsibilities 

• Participate as an integral team member on multi-disciplinary research relating to applying technological skills to solving governmental and societal needs.
• Provide technical, analytical and numerical support for research and development projects in the areas of mathematics, statistics, programming, remote sensing, and signal processing.
• Lead software development projects and coordinate teams of junior software developers.
• Develop software to prototype and evaluate signal processing, remote sensing, and/or machine learning algorithms.
• Assist with defining software objectives by analyzing user requirements, system features, and functionality.
• Recommend software solutions by comparing the pros and cons of custom versus off-the-shelf alternatives.
• Coordinate requirements and schedules, contribute to team meetings, troubleshoot development and production problems.
• Develop software documentation and assistance tools.
• Continue to improve performance by being aware of new technologies and software products, participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, and participating in professional organizations.
• Accept ownership of, and responsibility for responding to, new and varied requests.
• Assist research staff with deployment of cloud computing architectures for data processing.
• Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

Master’s degree or higher in software engineering, computer science, computer engineering, or a similar related field, and 2 years of professional software development experience
OR
Bachelor’s degree in software engineering, computer science, computer engineering, and 5 years professional software development experience

Required Experience

• Advanced knowledge of Python
• Experience in the design, implementation, and evaluation of algorithms.
• Experience in software development.
• Proficient in Linux or other Unix-based operating system.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Experience with Python concepts/constructs such as benchmarking, the PyTest framework, functional programming, packaging experience with pip/conda, and compiled Python (e.g., Numba, Jax, C/Rust Extensions, etc.).
• Experience with multithreading/multiprocessing.
• Experience with Linux shell and remote/headless environments
• Demonstrated experience with creating/managing CI/CD pipelines (preferably through GitLab)
• Experience with MATLAB
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams to perform research, solve technical problems, and/or develop software tools.
• Experience with the deployment of cloud-based computing architectures.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• TS/SCI Department of Defense security clearance
• Excellent interpersonal, oral/written, and presentation communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to participate in team projects.
• Demonstrated commitment to contribute to a safe work environment.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Ability to clearly communicate complex ideas at meetings and symposia.
• Ability to contribute to competitive grant proposals.                    • Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging, and fostering a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints. 

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

 

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.<