Senior Design Engineer for Active Learning

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences?

At the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), we work within and beyond the disciplines of engineering and foundational science to address the most pressing issues of our time. Through teaching and collaborative research, SEAS discovers, designs, and creates novel technologies and approaches to societal challenges – in service to the world, the nation, and our community. We collaborate across academic areas at SEAS and the larger university, and with colleagues in academia, industry, government and public service organizations beyond Harvard. By joining SEAS, you will be part of an inclusive community of dedicated problem-solvers who hold themselves – and one another – to the highest academic and professional standards. To learn more about us, please visit https://seas.harvard.edu/.

Job Description

Job Summary:

The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) seeks a highly motivated and technically skilled Senior Design Engineer for Active Learning to support and advance hands-on, studio-based, and laboratory-driven engineering education across undergraduate and graduate programs. Reporting to the Director for Design and Fabrication Instruction, this position plays a key role in the support a broad portfolio of programs, including the Master in Design Engineering (MDE), the MS/MBA in Engineering Sciences, undergraduate senior capstone design projects (ES100), and other design, innovation, and interdisciplinary fabrication-based learning courses (ES227, ES55). The Senior Design Engineer will collaborate with faculty, teaching staff, and students to develop experiential learning experiences, mentor multidisciplinary project teams, provide advanced technical guidance, and maintain safe, inclusive, and effective learning environments. The position requires strong engineering expertise, excellent organizational skills, and a commitment to student-centered learning.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Design Education, Curriculum Support, and Student Engagement

• Partner with program directors, faculty and teaching staff to support curriculum development and delivery of MDE, MS/MBA, ES100, and other SEAS design and innovation courses.
• Lead and support design and fabrication workshops and technical training sessions. Develop related instructional materials, technical documentation, and training resources.
• Provide support and oversight of instructional fabrication spaces and design studios as hubs for interdisciplinary collaboration across SEAS and affiliated schools.
• Participate in professional communities and technical conferences to maintain awareness of emerging technologies and practices in design education and instructional fabrication.

Technical Leadership and Projects Mentorship

• Serve as a primary technical resource for MDE, MSMBA and SEAS undergraduate student working on course projects involving embedded systems, mechatronics, robotics, sensing technologies, and physical product development.
• Provide guidance on system architecture, engineering tradeoffs, prototyping strategies, subsystem integration, testing, and technical feasibility. Support engineering decision-making throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Mentor student teams throughout the design process, from concept development and prototyping through validation and final presentation.
• Support projects involving:
  • Embedded electronics and microcontroller-based systems
  • Sensor integration and data acquisition
  • Actuation, motor control, and power electronics
  • Electromechanical systems and machine design
  • Human-machine interfaces and interactive devices
  • Rapid prototyping and iterative product development
• Lead technical design reviews and provide feedback on engineering rigor, manufacturability, testing plans, reliability, and performance.
• Foster a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for design, prototyping, fabrication and machining.
• Establish and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for fabrication spaces and equipment.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, tools, and methodologies that enhance engineering education and innovation.
• Maintain safe operating practices across machining, electronics, digital fabrication,