Applied Research Engineer

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Job Title:Applied Research Engineer

Department:FAES | Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

As Operations Manager with a specialization in agricultural engineering, you will manage our agricultural field research operations. This role involves ensuring operational efficiency, managing field staff, and maintaining adherence to industry standards, including safety and environmental regulations while completing research for project sponsors. Design, develop, and implement field-scale research involving crop production and earth moving for water management. Support proposal development, prepare project reports, and act as an interface with industry sponsors and technical organizations. Set-up, initialize, and operate technologies including GNSS-based VRT fertilizer and spray application systems, automated guidance systems, grade control systems, autonomy systems, and wireless and cellular communications. Design and fabricate specialized research equipment and new product prototypes.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee agricultural earthmoving field operations, ensuring they are executed in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Assist in developing general field research goals, and plan laboratory and field work required to attain these goals.
• Apply agricultural engineering knowledge to install, set-up and operate GNSS-based, wireless communications and autonomy technologies.
• Collect and archive machine performance data including live video streams, CANBus data to characterize machine performance, times series sensor data, and all other relevant machine settings and field conditions.
• Acts as liaison with industry, government, educational, and research organizations and assists in the preparation of proposals for new funding.
• Perform independent critical analyses of pertinent literature.
• Manage and supervise field staff, including training in best practices and safety protocols.
• Ensure compliance with agricultural regulations and standards, including relevant pesticide and nutrient commercial application laws.
• Coordinate with other academic units and research labs to optimize operational efficiency and staff performance.
• Develop and implement strategies for agricultural field production and earthmoving operations, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and minimizing environmental impact.
• Monitor operational budgets, including resource allocation and expenses related to agricultural field production and earthmoving equipment and supplies.
• Conduct regular site visits to ensure adherence to best management practices for all filed operations and investigations.
• Maintain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) for the transportation of equipment and materials to and from filed sites as needed.
• Hold or be willing to obtain a Commercial Pesticide Applicators License and Agricultural Fertilizer Applicator Certificate to ensure the appropriate and safe handling and application of related products.
• Evaluate research findings and assist with preparing interim and final reports to project sponsors.
• Prepare operational reports and provide insights to senior management on agricultural operations.
• Utilize modern engineering tools (e.g. SolidWorks, ProE, MatLab, etc.) to design specialized research equipment and prototype products.
• Utilize machine shop tools, cutting, and welding equipment to fabricate specialized research equipment and prototype products.
  
  

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. 2 years of relevant experience required. 2-4 years of relevant experience preferred.

Additional Information

This will be a fulltime, regular staff position with benefits.

This includes medical, dental, vision, and pension options. The full benefits can be viewed at the link below and inputting the information specifics of the position. (i.e. staff, 100% FTE, & regular)

https://hr.osu.edu/benefits/eligibility

This job profile is a Applied Research Engineer (S2 level) on the career roadmap.

The offer for this position will fall within this range based on internal equity, unit’s available budget, and the candidate’s qualifications

Location:Agricultural Engineering Building (0298)

Position Type:Regular

Scheduled Hours:40

Shift:First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

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The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.

As required by Ohio Revised Code section 3345.0216, Ohio State will: educate students by means of free, open and rigorous intellectual inquiry to seek the truth; equip students with the opportunity to develop intellectual skills to reach their own, informed conclusions; not require, favor, disfavor or prohibit speech or lawful assembly; create a community dedicated to an ethic of civil and free inquiry, which respects the autonomy of each member, supports individual capacities for growth and tolerates differences in opinion; treat all faculty, staff and students as individuals, hold them to equal standards and provide equality of opportunity with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.