UCAR - The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research · 10 hours ago
Engineer IV - Manager for Design & Fabrication Services (DFS)
USA
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level
$165K/yr - $180K/yr
5+ years expUniversity Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) is seeking an Engineer IV and Manager to lead the Design and Fabrication Services (DFS) group. This role blends advanced mechanical engineering expertise with organizational leadership to ensure technical excellence and operational effectiveness in the development of advanced atmospheric instruments.
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Responsibilities
Lead and manage the DFS group, including engineering and fabrication staff
Serve as the primary point of contact for mechanical engineering and fabrication support across NSF NCAR
Provide technical oversight and engineering guidance for complex mechanical design and fabrication efforts
Guide project planning, execution, risk management, and prioritization across multiple concurrent efforts
Support proposal development, budgeting, and long-range planning efforts for DFS resources and capabilities
Foster staff development through mentoring, feedback, and training while maintaining realistic schedules and costs
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Engineering with at least nine (9) years of relevant engineering experience; or
Master's degree in Engineering with at least seven (7) years of experience; or
PhD degree in Engineering with at least five (5) years of experience; or
An equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience leading complex engineering projects from concept through fabrication, and providing technical direction or supervision for engineering teams
Demonstrated success leading mechanical engineering projects from concept through fabrication, either as a hands-on technical lead or as a responsible engineering manager
Applies engineering principles, expert judgment, creativity, and technical depth to solve complex and often novel mechanical engineering challenges
Evaluates risks and tradeoffs to balance scientific need, technical feasibility, cost, schedule, and long-term organizational benefit
Works effectively with broad objectives, helping define scope, priorities, and technical approaches while managing multiple concurrent efforts
Assumes responsibility for the integrity of design decisions, considering technical, economic, and organizational impacts
Provides technical guidance and mentorship that supports staff development while maintaining effective production schedules and cost control
Exercises strategic judgment to determine when to innovate, when to standardize, or adjust project scope or approach
Contributes to long-term capability planning by identifying emerging technologies, tools, and processes
Proven ability to provide steady, credible leadership through clear communication, active listening, and sound decision-making
Provides technical expertise and leadership for the full mechanical design lifecycle, from concept development through fabrication, working collaboratively with scientists, engineers, technicians, and manufacturing staff to maintain engineering standards, processes and documentation
Demonstrated experience managing multiple concurrent projects using established project management tools and methods
Ability to communicate technical information clearly to audiences of diverse technical backgrounds
Demonstrated skill in budget administration, resource allocation, and schedule management
Proven ability to supervise mechanical design engineering and fabrication activities from design through fabrication
Experience serving as principal investigator, technical lead, or equivalent role with responsibility for scope, budget, and delivery
Commitment to fostering a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive work environment
Demonstrated skill to generate and review clear, accurate mechanical drawings and documentation applying GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing)
Advanced proficiency in solid modeling and mechanical design, including design tables, master models, weldments, and sheet metal components (SolidWorks preferred)
Strong knowledge of materials, finishes, and components used in scientific instrumentation
Expertise designing electronics packaging, including mechanical integration of PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) and flex circuits, grounding strategies, and EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) mitigation
Expertise conducting or reviewing FEA (Finite Element Analysis), ensuring appropriate meshing, convergence verification, boundary condition evaluation, and interpretation of results using suitable failure theories
Proven ability to perform structural analysis and prepare thorough, accurate, and well-reasoned analysis reports
Expertise executing statistical tolerance analysis to inform design parameters such as intended gaps and part tolerances
Subject-matter expertise in one or more of the following areas: optics, heat transfer, lidar/radar systems, mechanisms, manufacturing processes, electronics packaging, CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), or airworthiness standards
Preferred
Experience securing funding through proposal development or grant writing
Experience designing atmospheric or environmental instrumentation
Knowledge of electrical and aerospace engineering and airworthiness considerations for aircraft instrumentation
Benefits
Tuition Assistance, time off allowance to attend classes, and other professional development opportunities.
UCAR contributes 10% of your eligible pay into your retirement account; 100% fully vested on day one.
Starting minimum accrual of 20 days of personal time off each year (prorated for less than full-time positions).
10 paid holidays.
12 weeks of paid parental leave.
Short-term medical leave paid at 100% of your regular salary.
EcoPass for local Colorado residents to use the Denver and Boulder-area transit system at no cost.
Company
UCAR - The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Expanding horizons in meteorology and weather forecasting, water cycle hydrology, oceanography, solar physics, atmospheric chemistry and air quality, climate science, computer science, environmental science, and STEM education.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$91.8MKey Investors
National Science Foundation
2023-06-01Grant· $91.8M
Leadership Team
Justin Young
Deputy CFO
Alisha Swofford
Chief Operating Officer of the University Corporation of Atmospheric Research (UCAR)
Recent News
Nasa.gov
2025-10-01
2025-03-31
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