HERL Systems Engineering Lead
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh/U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL) is a collaborative venture advancing rehabilitation technology. Committed to enhancing the independence and quality of life for individuals with disabilities, HERL merges expertise from academia and the VA system. Our mission is to innovate, design, and implement cutting-edge technologies, promoting mobility, accessibility, and improved quality of life for people with disabilities. Through interdisciplinary research, HERL strives to empower individuals and shape the future of assistive technology.
HERL is seeking to hire a full-time staff engineer to serve as a Systems Engineering Lead on a major sponsored project. This position is suited for candidates with a strong foundation in computer science, electronics, and/or robotics engineering. The successful applicant will contribute to the software development and integration, process optimization, and quality assurance of the mechanical and electronics systems of a novel assistive mobility technology aimed at enhancing mobility for people with disabilities.
A bachelor’s degree in robotics, electrical engineering, computer science, control systems or a closely related field is required, with advanced degrees highly preferred. The following additional skills and experience are strongly desired:
- Proficiency in programming languages (e.g. C++, Python).
- Familiarity with real-time operating systems and/or robotic frameworks (e.g. Linux, ROS/ROS2).
- Working knowledge of robot kinematics, inverse dynamics, and model-based control.
- Expertise in physics-based simulation and 3D environmental modeling using tools such as Unity or Blender.
- FEA experience, mechanical system modeling, familiarity with CAD tools (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, etc.).
- Knowledge of process design, optimization, and quality control.
- Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams developing assistive mechatronic systems.
- Experience with systems integration involving hardware and software elements.
- Experience with circuit board design and fabrication.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Incumbent must successfully complete a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs background check. The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity, EOE, including disability/vets.
Job Summary
Coordinates a team of engineers across simultaneous, multiple projects. Collaborates with investigators to define project scope and produce documentation. Maintains technologies, creates proper use protocols, and identifies new tools and procedures. Oversees and investigates safety-related incidents. Prepares budget.
- Architect and oversee the development of a new operating-system-level control framework, ensuring interoperability between robotic hardware and the virtual environment.
- Design and implement real-time control systems integrating sensors, actuators, and computational modules (e.g. ROS, NVIDIA Omniverse/Isaac Sim, etc.).
- Lead integration of electrical and embedded systems (motor drivers, sensors, controllers) with simulation-based validation.
- Oversee data acquisition, safety checks, and verification during milestone and prototype testing.
- Collaborate with mechanical engineering teams to translate kinematic models into simulation-ready components and to develop FEA-based validation and feedback loops.
- Oversee data acquisition, safety checks, and verification during milestone and prototype testing.
- Prepare detailed maintenance reports and technical documentation.
- Ensure all processes adhere to safety, quality, and regulatory standards as applicable to ensure the safety of participants using experimental devices.
- Support internal and external audits.
- Ensure compliance with University and VA Pittsburgh Healthcare Systems Institutional Review Board (IRB) policies and procedures.
Light. The candidate will be required to move objects up to 25 pounds occasionally. Work is performed in both industrial and office environments.