Engineer IV - Manager for Design & Fabrication Services (DFS)

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research • Boulder, CO

1d • $165,000 - $180,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

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, operational effectiveness, and long-term strategic direction of DFS. The Manager leads planning for DFS technical capabilities, staffing, and infrastructure in alignment with EOL, NSF NCAR, and UCAR priorities. Working closely with scientists, engineers, machinists, technical, and administrative staff, this position supports the design, development, and fabrication of advanced atmospheric instruments and supporting infrastructure. The role serves as the primary point of contact for mechanical engineering and fabrication support needs across NSF NCAR and the broader research community.

Requirements

• 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 should include leading complex engineering projects from concept through fabrication, and providing technical direction or supervision for engineering teams.
• Leadership, Decision Making and Problem Solving 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.
• Leadership and Management 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.
• Engineering 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

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.

Benefits

• UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through competitive benefits . In addition to medical, dental, vision, retirement, and life insurance, UCAR offers a variety of programs focused on work-life balance and professional, and personal development.
• These include: 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level