Jr Research Associate, Aerospace Engineering

Job Description

Job Title: Jr Research Associate, Aerospace Engineering

Posting Start Date: 8/3/26

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Current UC employees must apply internally via SuccessFactors

Next Lives at the University of Cincinnati

Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation's best urban public research universities. Home to more than 53,600 students, 12,000 faculty and staff, and over 360,000 living alumni, UC, a Carnegie 1 institution, combines research prowess with a physical setting The New York Times has called "the most ambitious campus design program in the country." UC's momentum has never been stronger as the anchor of the Cincinnati Innovation District, the oldest cooperative education (co-op) program in the country with students earning $94 million annually through paid experiences, an academic health system, and as a member of the Big 12 Conference. The university contributes $10.6 billion in economic impact to the city and $22.7 billion to the state of Ohio. At UC, next is all of us. Learn more at .

UC is a mission-driven organization where we are committed to student success and positively transforming the community through scholarship and service. We thrive on innovation, making an impact, and fostering an environment where staff and faculty are key contributors to UC's success.

Job Overview

Plan, evaluate, coordinate and execute research and testing projects at the Fire Test Center of the Combustion and Fire Test Research Laboratory, part of the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Furthermore, support the operation, maintenance, and modification of gas turbine research laboratories and test facilities, while working closely with the current research staff and customers to provide on-time and on-budget testing services to the Aerospace community.

This position requires United States citizenship.

Essential Functions

• Assist with the coordination of laboratory research and testing of combustion, FAA fire testing and gas turbine projects and studies.
• Make independent contributions to projects and studies based on professional training or other work experience.
• Support execution of experimental testing activities for gas turbine and propulsion-related research programs.
• Gather customer and project requirements to support test planning and facility preparation.
• Execute facility scope for test operations including facility modifications, instrumentation installation, wiring updates, data acquisition configuration, and controls integration.
• Support instrumentation and control needs of the test hardware, to ensure safe and reliable test operations.
• Coordinate and lead test stand checkout activities with internal and external customers prior to testing.
• Act as test operator during facility checkout and test execution activities.
• Monitor facility systems and test hardware during operation to ensure safe and reliable performance.
• Contribute effectively to multidisciplinary team efforts involving research engineers, technicians, safety personnel, and customers.
• Maintain laboratory and test facility documentation including operating procedures, maintenance records, and safety documentation.
• Accountable for maintaining safe operation of research laboratories and test facilities and ensuring compliance with applicable safety procedures and standards.
• Perform related duties based on departmental need. This job description can be changed at any time.

Required Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Technology, or related technical field.
• Four (4) years of relevant work experience and/or specialized technical training may be used in lieu of educational requirements.

Required Experience

• Experience working with mechanical or industrial systems, laboratories, manufacturing equipment, engines, or test facilities.
• Basic understanding of instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and industrial controls.
• Ability to work safely around industrial equipment, compressed gases, fuels, rotating machinery, and high-temperature systems.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and technical documentation.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with ability to work directly with customers and multidisciplinary teams.

Additional Qualifications Considered

• Experience with gas turbine engines or propulsion systems.
• Experience operating research or industrial test facilities.
• Familiarity with PLCs, LabVIEW, DAQ systems, or industrial control systems.
• Experience with instrumentation installation and calibration.
• Experience supporting experimental testing or research and development environments.
• Hands-on mechanical aptitude and fabrication experience.
• Familiarity with industrial safety practices including lockout/tagout, confined space, or hazardous operations procedures.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Atmospheric Conditions: Conditions that affect the respiratory system, such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.
• Hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts of machinery or tools used to perform work, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, or exposure to chemicals.
• Lifting - up to 20 pounds - Often
• Noise: There is sufficient noise to cause you to shout in order to be heard above the noise level.

Additional Physical Requirements/Work Environment

Includes proximity to moving mechanical equipment, high-pressure systems, electrical systems, elevated temperatures, fuels, compressed gases, high temperature equipment and industrial machinery.

Application Process Information

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

Compensation and Benefits

UC offers an exceptional benefits package designed to support your well-being, financial security, and work-life balance. Eligibility may vary by position and FTE status. Highlights include:

Comprehensive Tuition Remission

UC provides tuition remission for you and your eligible dependents, covering tuition costs for nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the university.

Robust Retirement Plans

As a UC employee, you won't contribute to Social Security (except Medicare). Instead, you'll choose between state pension plans (OPERS, STRS) or an Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP), with UC contributing 14-18% of your salary based on position.

Real Work-Life Balance

UC prioritizes work-life balance with a generous time-off policy, including:

Vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays and additional end-of-year paid time off (Winter Season Days)

6 weeks of paid parental leave for new parents

Additional Benefits Include:

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription)
• Flexible spending accounts & wellness programs
• Professional development & mentorship opportunities

To learn more about why UC is a great place to work, please visit our .

UC is an E-Verify employer. If hired into this position, you will be required to provide satisfactory proof of employment eligibility by providing acceptable, original forms of identification for employment verification via the Federal I-9 employment verification process. Click for a list of acceptable documents.

Important: To apply you must create a profile and submit a complete job application through the . We are unable to consider "easy apply" applications submitted via other websites. For questions about the UC recruiting process or to request accommodations with the application, please contact UC HR at .

Equal Opportunity Employer. Building a workplace where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, including Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans.

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