ME Job Listings

The Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering invites you to join our team at the forefront of research, innovation and education. To learn more about the department and our vision, please visit the about us page

Faculty and Staff

Tenure-Track Faculty

The College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Colorado Boulder invites applications for tenure-line faculty in several interdisciplinary research areas. Our college is halfway through a strategic plan to double in size, and our vision is to be a world leader for excellence and innovation in engineering research and education.

A core value of the College of Engineering and Applied Science is inclusive excellence. We seek candidates who are interested in or have demonstrated effectiveness in teaching, mentoring and inspiring diverse students of all races, nationalities and genders, including first-generation college undergraduates. Applicants must hold a doctorate in an appropriate field and have demonstrated an ability or show promise and interest in conducting innovative research and developing excellent teaching practices while mentoring students and collaborating with faculty.  We are eager to accommodate the needs of dual career couples. 
 







Learn more here 

The Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Colorado Boulder invites applications to fill a Scholar in Residence position. This position will support the Department of Mechanical Engineering and fulfillment of the department’s educational mission, with a particular focus on both undergraduate and graduate courses in the broad areas of manufacturing, product design, CAD, and machine design, or other related fields.

This is a non-tenure track appointment; the successful candidate will be appointed as a Scholar in Residence with a three-year renewable contract. The position will report to the Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Responsibilities

The position involves teaching five engineering courses per academic year on the CU-Boulder campus, beginning the Fall or Spring semester.

What you should know

This is a standard three-year renewable appointment targeted towards design professionals with industry experience. Mentorship from research and teaching faculty and full staff support will be provided.

What we can offer

The salary range for this position will be $70,000 - $95,000 annually with University benefits. The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Qualifications

Candidates must have earned at least a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field, and must demonstrate active engagement and continued industry experience in the field of mechanical engineering. A strong commitment to high-quality undergraduate and graduate engineering education and/or industry training is a plus. The successful applicant would have demonstrated industry experience and project management skills and will be able to leverage their experience to teach both lecture and lab-based courses. An interest in improving undergraduate and graduate engineering education is desirable.

Preferred applicants would have prior teaching and industrial experience and would have already served as the instructor of record for one or more courses. Expertise is preferred in the broad areas of manufacturing, product design, CAD (SOLIDWORKS certification recommended), and machine design, or other related fields.

How to apply

To apply, please submit the following materials as PDF files:

  1. A one-page cover letter describing your interest in the position and summarizing your personal academic goals.
  2. Resume/CV.
  3. A two-page statement of your experience and plans for teaching and student mentoring.
  4. List of 3 references with contact information.
    • During the application process you will need to separately enter contact information for one reference who will be contacted to provide a letter of recommendation and additional materials, if needed, as the search progresses. This can be someone from your list of references above.

Review of applications will begin as they are received and will continue until the position is filled.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through . Background checks will be conducted for all final applicants.

Posting contact information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu

Adjunct Instructors for Engineering Project Teams

The department is currently seeking 25-30 professionals to serve as directors overseeing project teams of 6-8 students for two academic semesters.

Duties: 

  • Director helps the student project team grow and develop so they can independently run the project by themselves.  The director models and establishes industry practices, such as the use of meeting agendas, meeting minutes, weekly status report by each team member, setting and reviewing schedules and budgets each week, identifying potential problems and solutions, etc.  
  • Ideally, the director meets once a week with the team for an hour. Also, ideally, the company client attends the same meeting. If the client and director do meet at the same time, it is often helpful for the team to meet briefly with the director alone before or after the client meeting.
  • Adjunct directors typically handle this time commitment by meeting early or late in the day (i.e. before/after their normal work hours) with the team. They also answer team emails or phone calls throughout the week; this typically takes <1 hr/week depending on the project status.
  • The director provides guidance in preparing and critiquing oral presentations and written reports. The director should read reports and give feedback to teams, preferably not by ‘grading’ the report but by requesting changes and improvements. There are typically 3-4 reports per semester, requiring an average of 1-2 hours/report depending on the report quality.
  • When possible, the director attends team presentations at company site to evaluate team oral presentation skills. Time commitment can vary widely depending on the company location, approximately 3-8 hr/semester. If the director can’t attend, one option is to prepare and critique the team during practice presentations beforehand. 
  • The director attends the team’s manufacturing review in December.
  • 
The director conducts performance evaluations with each team member near the end of the fall and spring semesters, and suggests team member grades at the end of each semester.

Qualifications: Experience in mechanical engineering project management, mechanical engineering degree

Estimated Hours: 2 hours per week
Positions available: 25-30
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Contact: Daria Kotys-Schwartz, daria.kotys@colorado.edu
Pay rate: $2,861 - $3,381 per team overseen, for one academic year

The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. Click here for a list of ADA and Title IX coordinators. To view the . This organization participates in . We will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each employee's I-9 form to confirm work authorization.

Reasonable Accommodations for Applicants with Disabilities
CU Boulder is committed to making information and resources that are available via the web accessible for all users. If you are a job seeker and need accessibility assistance or an accommodation in order to apply for one of our open positions, please submit an accessibility request or call 303-735-4357 (5-HELP) to submit a request for assistance.

Industry Mentors for First-Year Engineering Projects

The Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering is seeking 4 professionals to serve as Industry Mentors for First-Year Engineering Projects students during the Fall 2024 semester. This mentorship program is designed to enhance industry connections and provide guidance to students as they develop their projects.

Duties: 

  • Participate in a kick-off meeting with faculty and fellow mentors to discuss course goals and the mentorship program. 
  • Attend scheduled class sessions to present your career pathway, provide feedback on students' initial project ideas, and support project development throughout the semester. 
  • Guide students in preparing their Preliminary and Critical Design Reviews by offering feedback based on provided rubrics. 
  • Provide targeted support and mentorship during dedicated class time, working closely with small student teams.
  • Attend the First-Year Engineering Projects Expo as a judge for final presentations.
  • Participate in a close-out meeting to provide feedback on the program and suggest improvements for furture iterations. 

Qualifications: 

  • Relevant industry experience in engineering or a related field.
  • Strong communication and mentorship skills. 
  • A willingness to engage with and provide constructive feedback to first-year engineering students. 

Estimated Hours: 20-25 hours over the semester

Location: Classes will be held in-person at the Integrated Teaching & Learning Laboratory (ITLL) on the CU Boulder campus. Participation in certain meetings may be virtual. 

Pay Rate: $1,000 stipend for participation in the mentorship program.

How to Apply: 

Interested applicants should email James Harper, Assistant Teaching Professor, and Grace Burleson, Assistant Professor, with a brief statement of interest and resume. 

 University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. Click here for a list of ADA and Title IX coordinators. To view the . This organization participates in . We will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each employee's I-9 form to confirm work authorization.

Reasonable Accommodations for Applicants with Disabilities
CU Boulder is committed to making information and resources that are available via the web accessible for all users. If you are a job seeker and need accessibility assistance or an accommodation in order to apply for one of our open positions, please submit an accessibility request or call 303-735-4357 (5-HELP) to submit a request for assistance.

Temporary Faculty 

The Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering seeks Adjunct faculty to teach various courses each semester. Areas include computer-aided design, mechanics of materials, thermal and fluid transport, machine design, and manufacturing. These positions are filled on an as-needed basis.

Adjuncts teach on a course-by-course basis, typically requiring advanced degrees or significant experience in their field. Compensation starts at $13,000 per 3-credit course as of January 1, 2024, varying by assignment. 

Sample Courses Taught: 

  • GEEN 1400: First-Year Engineering Projects
  • MCEN 1025: Computer Aided Design and Fabrication
  • MCEN 3012: Thermodynamics
  • MCEN 3030: Computational Methods
  • MCEN 4026: Manufacturing
  • MCEN 4173/5173: Finite Element Analysis

Given that needs vary each semester, we encourage those interested in teaching to reach out with their areas of specialization. Adjunct positions are non-permanent and offered on a semester-by-semester basis. This role is eligible for prorated sick leave. For permanent faculty opportunities, visit CU Boulder Jobs

Interested applicants should contact Kassie Van Pelt, HR and Operations Manager, at Kassie.VanPelt@colorado.edu for more information. 

Partnership Programs

Our department partners with Western Colorado University (WCU) in Gunnison and Colorado Mesa University (CMU) in Grand Junction, offering students the opportunity to earn a CU Boulder mechanical engineering degree entirely on the Western Slope. These programs also utilize temporary faculty, adhering to the same pay structure.

Interested applicants should contact Kevin Terry (WCU), Interim Director of the Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program, at Kevin.Terry@colorado.edu or Nathan McNeill (CMU), Director of CMU-CU Boulder Engineering Partnership Programs at Nathan.McNeill@colorado.edu.

Student Jobs Mailing List

The department maintains a moderated mailing listserv for job opportunities relevant to ME students. Current students and alumni can subscribe to the list by sending a blank email to mcen-prof+subscribe@colorado.edu from their CU email address. The jobs range from part-time internships for current students to full-time salaried positions for graduates. Employers interesting in posting to the jobs list can email katherine.mcconnell@colorado.edu.

Department Jobs

Each semester the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering seeks student employees in the areas of course support, department administration and research assistance. These student hourly roles are filled on an as-needed basis each semester. Student hourly positions are not permanent employees. We offer the following positions within our program:

The department hires a number of students each semester to provide course support on an hourly basis.  Responsibilities may include:

  • Grading
  • Responding to student questions and inquiries about course content and materials
  • Assisting the instructor with course content management and organization on Canvas
  • Researching data and materials for the course

Pay rates (effective August 15, 2024)
Undergraduate students = $17.16 per hour  
Graduate students = $20.28 per hour

Interested applicants for course support in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering may contact Vera Sebulsky at Vera.Sebulsky@colorado.edu for information about available positions. 

Assist various units within the department with administrative work such as:

Front desk student assistant

  • Staff front desk, providing information about department and outstanding customer service to everyone who stops by
  • Provide front desk operations such as scheduling conference rooms, stocking and maintaining inventory report on office and Xerox supplies, operating copier and fax machine, maintaining front desk/package closet/Xerox room/kitchen and storage as needed
  • Perform general administrative duties as assigned such as running errands, filing, word processing, data entry and internet research
  • Distribute mail to mailboxes for the faculty, staff, and students 
  • Log packages, deliver to recipients’ labs/offices, and email recipients to notify
  • Distribute and log visitor parking permit requests
  • Report Xerox usage to finance team
  • Other assignments including (but not limited to) cleaning and moving items

Interested applicants for front desk student assistant openings in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering may contact our Administrative Assistant, Lauren Cherry, at lauren.cherry@colorado.edu for information about available positions. 

Finance student assistant

  • Process procurement card transactions, including scanning receipts, allocating purchases to the designated speedtypes, and notifying cardholders of submitting reports for department approval
  • Assist faculty, staff, and student employees with the process of submitting procurement card paperwork and reimbursement requests
  • Set a consistent work schedule and work independently to meet both university and department due dates
  • Provide additional support as needed. Assigned tasks may include word processing, data entry, filing and providing coverage for administrative staff during department functions

We are currently fully staffed and are not accepting new applicants for the Finance student assistant position. Please check back soon. Thank you! 

Pay rates (effective August 15, 2024)
Undergraduate Students
1st and 2nd semester = $16.64
3rd and 4th semester = $17.16
5th and 6th semester = $17.68
7th, 8th and beyond = $18.20

Graduate Students
1st and 2nd semester = $19.76
3rd and 4th semester = $20.28
5th and 6th semester = $20.80
7th, 8th and beyond = $21.32

Starting pay rate depends on student’s skills, qualifications and experience in the respective area. Pay rate may increase after the first semester is possible dependent upon the student’s performance and length of employment. 

Assist various faculty within the department with research work such as:

  • Assisting graduate student with processing and analysis of data collected during field work
  • Assisting graduate student with chemical analysis of air quality samples collected during field work
  • Modifying air quality sensor packages to include new sensor modes and maintaining research group’s sensor packages
  • Setting up equipment in the lab, assembling experimental setups, and doing a bit of math on acquired data

Pay rates (effective August 15, 2024)
Undergraduate Students
1st and 2nd semester = $16.64
3rd and 4th semester = $17.16
5th and 6th semester = $17.68
7th, 8th and beyond = $18.20

Graduate Students
1st and 2nd semester = $19.76
3rd and 4th semester = $20.28
5th and 6th semester = $20.80
7th, 8th and beyond = $21.32

Starting pay rate depends on student’s skills, qualifications and experience in the respective area. A pay rate increase after the first semester is possible dependent upon the student’s performance and length of employment. 

Interested applicants can find more information on our faculty and their research on the website. Please reach out to the faculty member directly for information about available positions.

The goal of the Student Apprentice Program is to build a cohort of students who serve as peer advisors to help current students pursue opportunities in industry, research, and design-based student organizations. Student apprentices serve as part of a leadership team tasked with the following:

  • Provide leadership for MCEN2000 including facilitating breakout sessions, providing individual feedback on job search materials, and grading course assignments
  • Serve as presenters, industry hosts, and logistical support for events including ME Alumni Connect Day and the Careers in ME Symposium
  • Contribute to new and existing career developments initiatives in the department


Applicants for the Student Apprentice Program should meet the following qualifications:

  • Experience in an internship, research position, or working with a design-based student organization
  • Strong communicators who are comfortable speaking in front of a class and providing written feedback on student work
  • Passionate about career-related topics and helping other students explore their interests
  • Successful completion of MCEN 2000 (preferred, flexible for MS candidates)

 

Pay rates (effective August 15, 2024)
Undergraduate students = $17.16 per hour  
Graduate students = $20.28 per hour

 

Interested applicants may contact Katherine McConnell at katherine.mcconnell@colorado.edu. The selection process for the next academic year begins in April, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

Undergraduate engineering students in the Discovery Learning Apprenticeship program earn hourly wages while engaging in research with college faculty and graduate students.

  • A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for admission to the DLA program
  • Positions are announced in late March, with applications accepted through the end of April for apprenticeships during the following academic year
  • Students may work up to 300 hours in these positions over the course of the academic year (average of 10 hours per week 30 weeks in the academic year)
  • Students attend several mandatory seminars and all DLA students present a Power Point presentation in the spring as a culmination of their work. The top presenters then move on to present a poster at the annual DLA symposium each April

Pay rate
$16 per hour

Interested applicants may contact Sharon Anderson, Director of Active Learning, at sharon.e.anderson@colorado.edu for information about available positions.

This position assists the ME Lab Engineer in providing support to students seeking assistance from the ME Checkout Office at the Idea Forge.

  • Assist students with design/test/fabrication projects and problems including the following skillsets:
    • SolidWorks (working knowledge is important)
    • Dimensioning and tolerancing of drawings
    • Use of test and measurement equipment
    • Make suggestions/provide guidance with fabrication and assembly processes
  • Assist students/faculty locating hardware, components, etc. in the Checkout Office
  • Maintain order and cleanliness of the ME spaces in the Idea Forge

Pay rates
Undergraduate students
1st and 2nd semester = $16.00
3rd and 4th semester = $16.50
5th and 6th semester = $17.00
7th, 8th and beyond = $17.50 

Graduate students
1st and 2nd semester = $19.00
3rd and 4th semester = $19.50
5th and 6th semester = $20.00
7th, 8th and beyond = $20.50

Interested applicants may contact ME Lab Engineer Andy Kain at david.kain@colorado.edu for information about available positions.

The Program Coordinator will be supporting ME K-12 outreach. 

  • Event planning and management work with faculty and departmental staff to organize, plan, run and implement events.
  • Coordinate travel for CU students, as well as Junior and High Schools participating in the ME K-12 Outreach Program. 
  • Work with vendors, caterers and campus partners to handle logistical coordination and purchasing for events.
  • Build and maintain positive and effective relationships with faculty, campus staff, departmental partners, visitors and vendor contacts.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for participating schools, departmental contacts, vendors, etc.
  • Lead event budgets in conjunction with faculty organizers and departmental financial staff.
  • Coordinate, run and handle logistics for ME K-12 Outreach meetings (e.g., booking meeting space, setting agenda, facilitating meeting, etc.).
  • Serve as first point of contact for prospective mechanical engineering graduate students.
  • Other graduate program duties as assigned.

Pay rate $28-30 per hour.

Schedule: Part-time temporary, fully remote

Duration: September - December 2023, 20-30 hours per week

Requested minimum requirements (education and experience): bachelor's degree, experience working K-12 outreach in a collegiate environment. 

Interested applicants may contact the ME Graduate Program Manager, Vera Sebulsky, for more information about available positions. 

The Waffle Friday Student Lead(s) will work to support and coordinate the department’s weekly Waffle Friday community events.
 

Requirements:

  • Availability from 9:30AM-11AM and/or 11AM-12:30PM on Fridays.
  • Excited to make hundreds of waffles and serve them to awesome people!
  • Preference for a continuing student in Mechanical Engineering pursuing a BS or MS.

Responsibilities:

  • Contribute to event set-up, making/serving waffles, and clean-up.
  • On weeks when Waffle Friday is hosted by a student organization, help that group get oriented and then stay to help as needed. 
  • Additional tasks may include reaching out to student organizations, making supply lists, and/or shopping for supplies.

The pay rate for this role follows the standard department sliding scale, which is $16.64-18.20/hr for undergrads and $19.76-21.32/hr for graduate students.  To apply, please send an email with a short 2-3 sentence description of your interest in the role to Katherine.mcconnell@colorado.edu.

Job Description: 

Mechanical design and assembly of a measurement systems for the characterization of a human-sized magnetically-shielded enclosure. The enclosure is used for non-invasive brain imaging with quantum magnetometers. You will build a system to characterize the field distribution. You will measure, analyze, and visualize data. 

Job Duties: 

Hands-on work to build a test system for imaging magnetic field distributions. Most of the components are made from wood or 3D printed. Some design of the components. Assembly, testing and characterization of the system. Data analysis and visualization. 

Qualifications:

Working with wood: sawing, drilling, power tools, fasteners, CAD design and 3D printing experience would be helpful. Data visualization. Some programming experience would be a plus. 

Pay rate $15-19.50 per hour.

10 to 20 hours per week. 

1 to 3 positions available. 

Duration: Spring 2024, but can be extended as long as you are a CU student

Interested applicants may contact Research Professor, Svenja Knappe, for more information about available positions. 

Job Description: The mechanical engineering advising team is hiring a student assistant to support our academic advising initiatives and projects! Supervised by professional academic advisors in mechanical engineering, the student assistant will provide support for programming, assessment, and administrative needs for the team.  

Job Responsibilities: 

  • Provide support for the mechanical engineering advising team primarily through administrative support. 
  • Assist in communication with mechanical engineering student population (graduation ceremony, new student welcomes, annoucements, etc.).
  • Assist with logistics and planning of programming and events to support undergraduate mechanical engineering students.
  • Assist in managing current student rosters and graduation rosters.
  • Create and update documentation and resources for students.

Minimum Qualifications: 

  • Current student in a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. program in the College of Engineering & Applied Science at CU Boulder (undergraduate and graduate students are invited to apply).
  • Excellent verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills.
  • Outstanding customer service and time-management skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team and within a collaborative work environment. 
  • Strong attention to detail, organization, and strategic planning. 
  • Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural, political, and geographical differences, with ability to work well with faculty, staff, and students from around the world. 

Hours & Compensation: This appointment will begin with the Fall 2024 semester and has the option to continue based on the employee's interest and availability. Compensation starts at $16.64/hr + for undergraduate students and $19.76/hr + for graduate students. Typical working hours being Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and some evening work (optional depending on the student's class schedule), up to 20 hours per week as needed. The number of hours worked per week is flexible based on candidates' availability and departmental needs. The position operates in-person from the ECME wing of the engineering center. 

To Apply: Applicants can fill out to indicate their interest in and qualifications for this position. Applications will be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled with a tenative start date of September 2024. Please direct any questions to Alex Plaut

The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

 

Job Description: The ME Facilities Coordinator is hiring a student assistant to support our facilities and projects! 

Job Responsibilities: 

  • Input surplus inventory into CU AssetWorks system.
  • Record and identify CU Capital Inventory as new tags come in.
  • Help with lifts/moves/installs. 
  • Pick up and distribute key orders from the Access Services office. 
  • Help with packages and other ME Front Desk tasks as necessary.
  • Provide onsite coverage as needed when the ME Facilities Coordinator is offsite/remote/PTO. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

  • Good knowledge of the Engineering Center building complex.
  • Good interpersonal skilss with students, staff, and faculty.
  • Ability to work independently and with a team.

Estimated Number of Hours per Week: 8 to 16 hours

1 position available.

Job Location: ECME 105B

Pay Rate: $16.64 per hour

Interested applicants may contact the ME Facilities Management Coordinator, Andy Garcia, (303-735-7959) for more information about available positions.