Sr. Research Technician

Ensured Consideration Date: May 4, 2026

Sub Department: APSRC

 

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 Sr. Research Technician for our Advanced Power Systems Research Center (APSRC). The Advanced Power Systems Research Institute (APS LABS) Senior Research Associate is expected to synthesize and generalize their extensive knowledge and experience to develop creative solutions to a wide variety of sponsored R&D and teaching projects. Tasks may vary widely depending on current projects and priorities.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

1. Analyze and interpret open-ended project needs, conceptualize solutions, and formulate work plans for solutions.
2. Execute work plans in support of project timelines and engineering needs.
3. Provide input and feedback for component selections and design options.
4. Provide supervision, mentoring, and/or coaching, to undergraduate students, graduate students, and junior staff.
5. Travel as needed (locally or overnight) in support of various research or training project needs.
6. Participate in guided tours.
7. Maintain shop and laboratory areas including organizing tools and equipment
8. Set a positive example for all customers, staff, and students by developing and enforcing safety and operating protocols, maintaining a clean and organized workspace, and conducting themselves in a professional manner.
9. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
10. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.
11. Other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

Associate degree in an Engineering, Science, Technology, or Manufacturing field (or equivalent educational and work experience)

Required Experience

• Minimum 5 years professional experience working in areas directly related to the expected job tasks, with breadth of knowledge in vehicle systems and significant depth in at least one area directly related to the job tasks
• Minimum 2 years (can be concurrent) of professional experience in the maintenance and repair of on-road or off-road vehicles
• Minimum 2 years (can be concurrent) of professional experience in fabrication

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Prior experience working in an engineering or research environment
• Repair & Maintenance of non-vehicle-based research assets including solar and other alternative energy components, laboratory equipment, etc.
• Plumbing, wiring, and fixturing required to support systems including fuel, coolant, oil, air, etc.
• Installation of sensors and other preparations for experimental testing
• Troubleshooting of complex mechanical and electrical systems
• Maintenance of light duty vehicles, heavy duty on-road, and off-road vehicles
• Demonstrated proficiency in specifying and assembling common plumbing fittings including NPT, JIC, SAE O-Ring, and Compression
• Minor and major repair of light duty, heavy duty, and off-road vehicles
• Demonstrated proficiency in reading / interpreting blueprints and engineering drawings
• Demonstrated proficiency in basic machining operations
• Demonstrated proficiency in basic welding operations
• Demonstrated proficiency in plasma and torch cutting
• Demonstrated proficiency using preci