Robotics Engineer Project Manager

Department: MCC Mechanical Engineering
Salary/Grade: EXS/9

Target hiring range for this position will be between $78,482 - $110,365 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

About McCormick

Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science is redefining engineering education and research through its pioneering "Whole-Brain Engineering" philosophy, integrating the elements of left-brain thinking - analysis, logic, synthesis, and math - with the kind of high-level right-brain thinking that fosters intuition, metaphorical thought, and creative problem solving. Augmenting the analytical core of engineering with substantial initiatives in design, entrepreneurship, leadership and personal development, and unusual collaborations that span disciplines, Northwestern Engineering students and faculty are prepared to take the world in a whole new direction.

Northwestern Engineering comprises more than 1,800 undergraduate students, 2,000 graduate students, 190 faculty members across nine academic departments and varied programs, centers, and institutes. Northwestern Engineering staff members support innovative academic programs, an intellectual footprint that deepens the frontiers of knowledge, partnerships that catalyze education and research, and a diverse culture that embraces different viewpoints and ideas

Job Summary:

The Robotics Engineer Project Manager will work within the US National Science Foundation HAND Engineering Research Center (HAND ERC, https://hand-erc.org/) at the Center for Robotics and Biosystems (https://robotics.northwestern.edu/) at Northwestern University. The HAND ERC's mission is to revolutionize robotic dexterity.

The project manager's role is to coordinate the effort of teams of researchers and technical experts to design robust, reproducible, and capable humanoid-type robots (focused on the upper body, e.g., hands, arms, and head) and telerobotic interfaces to support robot dexterity research.

Two-year term position with possibility of extension dependent on funding.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Coordinate teams of roboticists (mechanical, electrical, and computer engineers) to develop robot system development roadmaps and timelines and successfully manage their execution.
• Communication, team building, industry collaboration, and other duties as assigned by the HAND ERC leadership.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 2+ years experience and a BS in robotics, computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related area.

• Professional experience in project management, integrating interdisciplinary engineering teams, and producing practical engineered systems.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Strong systems engineering mindset, including ability to translate performance goals into technical requirements; to establish a development roadmap with milestones, interdependencies, and contingencies; to establish standards for clear documentation; to conduct regular design reviews; to track project progress; to direct and earn the respect of technical experts; and to maintain accountability.

• Technical fluency in robotics and embedded systems to be able to communicate effectively with technical experts and to identify risks.

• Excellent communication and team-building skills.

• Ability to provide administrative support and vendor management, including maintaining a bill of materials, price negotiation, ordering, and tracking.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in engineering or project management.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

Other competencies that may be helpful, but are not required, include

• electromechanical design, such as actuator, transmission, and sensor selection

• electronics and PCB design

• real-time control and filtering

• embedded computing

• fluency in C, C++, Python, and MATLAB

• familiarity with the Robot Operating System (ROS)

• familiarity with GitHub Projects or other project management tools

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.