KRI R&D Engineer II

About the Opportunity

The Kostas Research Institute (KRI) at Northeastern University (NU) is a rapidly growing applied research and development (R&D) institute, primarily focusing on DoD-related science and technology areas. KRI is seeking a highly motivated engineer for the position of KRI R&D Engineer 2 with expertise in advanced and additive manufacturing (AAM) technologies.

KRI R&D Engineer 2 is a junior R&D engineer/scientist role within the organization and responsibilities include: forming and maintaining strong relationships with customers, sponsors, and partners; identifying funding opportunities, contributing to or leading the development of R&D proposals, including win theme development, creation of technical content, and ensuring that the program budget and schedule are competitive yet realistic; ensuring that funded programs are exceptionally executed, with a focus on technical solutions that address customer requirements; identifying opportunities for follow-on funding to existing programs; help advance KRI’s technology roadmap; and recruiting , mentoring, and managing technical staff, including R&D scientists, engineers, and technicians. KRI R&D Engineer 2 will work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams across the KRI network, consisting of academic, industry, and government partners to develop technical solutions and prototypes in the Advanced Manufacturing and Sustainment (AMS) technical thrust area, with a focus on application to real-world problems and requirements. A close working relationship with other senior R&D scientists and engineers at KRI, technical staff in industry and government partner organizations, faculty members at NU and other academic institutions is essential and required.

KRI R&D Engineer 2 will act as a subject matter expert in advanced/additive manufacturing, and contribute to (1) the development of differentiated capabilities in additive and advanced manufacturing, (2) the development and execution of associated evaluation and characterization structures, materials, and practices, (3) the development of best practices and materials for the deployment of these methods including personnel training, (4) providing subject matter expertise for and contributions to proposals, reports, publications, presentations and other knowledge products, and (5) help with the oversight of technical operations at KRI in advanced/additive manufacturing. This position requires a close working relationship with and support of senior KRI engineers and scientists exhibiting qualities expected from a responsible team player, who demonstrates initiative and motivation to contribute to project, team, and organizational objectives for successful outcomes in government and industry contracts.

KRI conducts cutting-edge applied R&D. The institute was founded with a focus on homeland security. Today, KRI strives to advance resilience in the face of 21st century risks across a wide range of technologies, emphasizing a collaborative approach that leverages our R1 university intellectual capital and technologies to develop application-specific solutions to customer needs. KRI focuses on satisfying customer-driven needs by co-locating a diverse, highly skilled R&D team that can address all aspects of a particular problem across the full range of technology-readiness levels. KRI headquarters, located at the NU Innovation Campus in Burlington, MA (ICBM), is home to one-of-a-kind research and test facilities for advanced and additive manufacturing, electromagnetic materials and devices for sensing and communications, RF engineering and wireless networks, unmanned and autonomous system technologies, as well as quantum materials and sensing. KRI is expanding activities to other campuses within the NU network.

The position with KRI at Northeastern University, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of NU, is funded through external grants and contracts. The primary office for this position is at ICBM. Through NU, KRI offers an impressive benefits package, including multiple retirement plan options with generous matching, as well as tuition waiver for classes and degree programs. A full description of available benefits can be found on the NU website.

Education, Experience, Clearance

• BS required, MS preferred in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science or Engineering, or related area.

• Expertise in advanced manufacturing processes, additive and subtractive methods is required.

• 2 years or more relevant research and development experience is required.

• Ability and willingness to obtain DoD security clearance required; Special Access clearance preferred.

Required Skills/Qualities

• Demonstrated track record and ability to translate fundamental material science knowledge to state of the art projects in metal, polymer and ceramic additive manufacturing areas.

• Demonstrated understanding of characterization techniques and approaches used for metals, polymers and ceramic materials used in additive manufacturing. . 

• Experience in designing and building unique equipment to conduct novel experimental material science.

• Experience in the development, testing, scale-up, and deployment of methods such as 3D printing methodologies, microfabrication, cold spray, ceramic or novel composite development, dielectric processing, engineered coatings are required.

·   Commitment to Environmental Health and Safety Best Practices is required.

• Experience with publication of work, technical reporting, strong writing, and presentation skills required.

• Ability and willingness to support junior team members by providing guidance and instruction, mentoring.

Desired Skills/Qualities

• Experience in part qualification to industry standards, understanding of cyber-security issues in advanced manufacturing production techniques and processes are preferred.

• Experience in the development of best-practices, standard operating procedures is preferred.

• Experience writing proposals for funded research projects preferred.

• 2+ years of experience in cold spray additive manufacturing.

• The ability to lead projects from concept to execution to conclusion is preferred.

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:

Expected Hiring Range:

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.