Technical Engineering Specialist

Position Function:

Provides advanced technical expertise in the planning, design, development, implementation, and improvement of research, manufacturing, tooling, testing, and engineering activities supporting the Advanced Composites Institute.

This position recognizes advanced technical expertise acquired through extensive professional practice, specialized technical training, demonstrated accomplishment, or other equivalent qualifications. The incumbent serves as a senior technical resource supporting engineering, research, manufacturing, testing, and technology development activities

Salary Grade:  17

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.  For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Develops technical solutions to complex engineering and manufacturing challenges.
2. Provides technical leadership for the design, fabrication, testing, and implementation of research and manufacturing systems.
3. Serves as a technical resource for tooling, manufacturing processes, equipment, automation, and product development.
4. Evaluates existing processes and recommends improvements.
5. Provides technical mentoring.
6. Leads technical execution of assigned projects.
7. Supports proposal development.
8. Supports customer interactions.
9. Develops new technical capabilities.
10. Assists with technology transition.
11. Conceives, plans and conducts research in problem areas of considerable scope and complexity.
12. Problems must be thoroughly approached through a series of complete and conceptually related studies, are difficult to define, require unconventional or novel approaches, and require sophisticated research techniques.
13. Plans, develops, coordinates, and directs a number of large and significant projects or a project of major scope.
14. Proposes and leads new initiatives; guides programs of national or international significance.
15. Contributions enhance Department/MSU staff, business volume, and facilities/equipment.
16. Plays a lead role in the development and implementation of new and/or expanded technical capabilities that will impact future research projects.
17. Typically would direct and/or participate in major proposal preparation and presentation.
The above essential duties are representative of major duties of positions in this job classification. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary based upon departmental needs. Other duties may be assigned to the above consistent with the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job. Not all of the duties may be assigned to a position.

Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications

Minimum Education: High School Diploma or equivalent
Experience: 10 or more years of progressively responsible technical experience in engineering technology, manufacturing, tooling, machining, composites, testing, automation, product development, or related technical disciplines.

Substitutions: Any equivalent combination of related experience and/or education approved by the Department of Human Resources Management.

Certification or Licensure Requirements: Valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License or ability to acquire within one year.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Applies extensive and advanced principles, theories, and concepts.
2. Contributes to the development of solutions to complex problems that require innovation and ingenuity.
3. Possesses and applies a comprehensive knowledge of a particular field of specialization to the completion of complex assignments.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Regularly involves lifting, bending or other physical exertion. Often exposed to one or more elements such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, chemicals, etc.

Frequent-Externally imposed deadlines; set and revised beyond one’s control; interruptions influence priorities; difficult to anticipate nature or volume of work with certainty beyond a few days; travel or irregular hours often anticipated; meeting of deadlines and coordination of unrelated activities are key to position;

Job frequently requires standing, walking,