Engineering Technician

About the Job

This position is for a full‑time staff research engineer at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota. The employee will work within SAFL's Applied Research and Engineering Team and will be responsible for supporting contract research services in the areas of river hydraulics and sediment transport, dams and reservoirs, lakes and shorelines, conventional and renewable energy, and other specialized environmental or water resources problems.

The employee will work with SAFL Associate Director for Engineering and Facilities, university faculty, and SAFL technical staff and researchers. We seek a reliable and motivated engineer who is interested in helping develop applied research areas in the broad area of environmental hydraulics. We seek someone who is “hands‑on” and would be excited to contribute to physical model design and construction.

The position also carries responsibility for assisting with public communication and provides the opportunity to collaborate with academic, agency, and industry partners. This is a one‑year position, with the option to renew based upon additional funding.

Core Research Support (70%) – Executes contract research services specializing in water resources, including lake/shoreline dynamics and energy infrastructure. Primary responsibilities include coordinating with research teams to develop experimental methodologies, implementing engineering solutions for precise data collection, and documenting outcomes for stakeholder review.

Operational Excellence & Training (30%) – Manages the daily operational readiness of specialized laboratory equipment and facility infrastructure. Leads instructional sessions for a diverse user base, provides technical consultancy for physical model construction, and offers real‑time engineering support during experimental execution.

• At least 15 credits of college‑level coursework in civil, environmental, water resources, mechanical, geotechnical, or aerospace engineering.
• Experience in working in a hydraulic research laboratory.
• Interest in participating in an engineering research setting.
• Must be able to work safely in construction, laboratory, and field environments including frequently lifting up to 50 lbs and traversing difficult terrain.

• Experience in research settings relating to water resources engineering or fluid mechanics.
• Experience with hydraulic physical modeling – model design, construction and operation.
• Familiarity with data collection and instrumentation such as flow measurement, data loggers, telemetry, and environmental sensors.
• Demonstrated experience with construction or shop tools; computer‑aided design software experience, Solid Works or AutoCAD.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google suite Apps.

The Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory is a globally recognized hub for pioneering research in experimental and computational fluid mechanics, hydrology, and earth‑surface dynamics. For over 80 years, our innovative and adaptable facilities have attracted trailblazers, problem solvers, and visionary thinkers. SAFL transcends traditional academic boundaries, embracing a spirit of curiosity and unorthodox collaboration. By fostering a culture of innovation, our diverse network of scholars and skilled engineers delivers groundbreaking solutions to the most pressing environmental science and engineering challenges, deepening our understanding of Earth's dynamic systems.

Pay Range: $26.18–$26.69 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Time Appointment: 75% appointment.

Position Type: Civil‑Service & Non‑Faculty Labor Represented Staff.

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off.
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree‑seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program.
• Low‑cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans.
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Universit…