Technical Associate I

MIT•Cambridge, MA

12d

About The Position

The Technical Associate I, Mechanical Engineering, will coordinate the day-to-day operations of the Global Engineering and Research (GEAR) Lab, supporting approximately 30 students, postdoctoral associates, and staff. This role will assist research teams with planning, designing, fabricating, troubleshooting, testing, transporting, and improving bench-scale and pilot-scale mechanical and electromechanical prototypes for domestic and international projects. Research areas may include solar-powered devices, data acquisition and power management systems, desalination and irrigation systems, agricultural equipment, assistive technologies, and customized testing equipment. Under PI guidance, the associate will help coordinate engineering activities across multiple projects, develop short- and long-term plans and milestones, monitor progress, adapt plans, and provide input on research priorities. The role will support field pilots by coordinating installation and testing plans, communicating with implementation partners, managing logistics, and assisting with on-site equipment installation and testing. Additionally, the associate will support laboratory administration under the PI’s direction, including student onboarding, fabrication facility scheduling and maintenance, equipment upgrades, sourcing supplies, managing shared shop space, maintaining document and code repositories, and coordinating meetings and events. The associate will train and mentor students through design reviews, project updates, constructive feedback, and team-building activities. Contributions to academic publications, reports, and presentations for sponsors and other stakeholders may be assigned by the PI.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, materials science, physics, chemistry, or related technical field preferred, or equivalent experience.
A minimum of two years of experience working in an academic engineering research and/or commercial R&D environment.

Responsibilities

Coordinate the day-to-day operations of the Global Engineering and Research (GEAR) Lab.
Support approximately 30 students, postdoctoral associates, and staff.
Assist research teams with planning, designing, fabricating, troubleshooting, testing, transporting, and improving mechanical and electromechanical prototypes.
Coordinate engineering activities across multiple projects.
Develop short- and long-term plans and milestones.
Monitor progress and adapt plans.
Provide input on research priorities.
Support field pilots by coordinating installation and testing plans, communicating with implementation partners, managing logistics, and assisting with on-site equipment installation and testing.
Support laboratory administration, including student onboarding, fabrication facility scheduling and maintenance, equipment upgrades, sourcing supplies, managing shared shop space, maintaining document and code repositories, and coordinating meetings and events.
Train and mentor students through design reviews, project updates, constructive feedback, and team-building activities.
Contribute to academic publications, reports, and presentations as assigned.