Test & Automation Engineer

Job No: Work Type: Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater)Location: Dayton, OHCategory: Research Institute StaffDepartment: Thermal Management - Pay Grade: R2 - ExemptAdvertised: September 22, 2026Applications close: October 07, 2026

Position Summary:

UDRI, a national leader in scientific and engineering research, serving government, industry and nonprofit customers, invites qualified applicants to apply for our Test & Automation Engineer opening!

In this position, you will be responsible for design, construction and operation of novel thermal management experiments for aircraft, coordinate with research engineers and computer scientists to develop control software for the experiments, direct and oversee work of technicians, perform calculations that support the sizing and selection of test rig components. Communicate results to engineers and management.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS in Engineering Technology.
• Five years of experience in fabrication and installation of laboratory and experimental apparatus. Instrumentation and controls fundamentals.
• Proficient in machining and shop processes.
• Proficient in CAD software for generating electrical and mechanical drawings.
• Common sense fundamentals of machine design.
• Due to the requirements of our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be a U.S. citizen.

Preferred Qualifications:

While not everyone may possess all of the preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following:

• BS in Engineering.
• Ten years experience in fabrication and installation of laboratory and experimental apparatus.
• Extensive knowledge of instrumentation and controls.
• Experience sizing, designing, constructing and operating two-phase thermal management systems. Journeyman HVAC or electrician certification.
• Strong common sense fundamentals of machine design.

Closing Statement:

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the dignity of every human being. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity in all of its forms, achieve fair outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. The University is committed to policies of affirmative action designed to increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973.

• Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater) 1