Senior Design Engineer for Active Learning

Job Summary:

The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) seeks a highly motivated and technically skilled Senior Design Engineer for Active Learning to support and advance hands-on, studio-based, and laboratory-driven engineering education across undergraduate and graduate programs. Reporting to the Director for Design and Fabrication Instruction, this position plays a key role in the support a broad portfolio of programs, including the Master in Design Engineering (MDE), the MS/MBA in Engineering Sciences, undergraduate senior capstone design projects (ES100), and other design, innovation, and interdisciplinary fabrication-based learning courses (ES227, ES55). The Senior Design Engineer will collaborate with faculty, teaching staff, and students to develop experiential learning experiences, mentor multidisciplinary project teams, provide advanced technical guidance, and maintain safe, inclusive, and effective learning environments. The position requires strong engineering expertise, excellent organizational skills, and a commitment to student-centered learning.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Design Education, Curriculum Support, and Student Engagement

• Partner with program directors, faculty and teaching staff to support curriculum development and delivery of MDE, MS/MBA, ES100, and other SEAS design and innovation courses.
• Lead and support design and fabrication workshops and technical training sessions. Develop related instructional materials, technical documentation, and training resources.
• Provide support and oversight of instructional fabrication spaces and design studios as hubs for interdisciplinary collaboration across SEAS and affiliated schools.
• Participate in professional communities and technical conferences to maintain awareness of emerging technologies and practices in design education and instructional fabrication.

Technical Leadership and Projects Mentorship

• Serve as a primary technical resource for MDE, MSMBA and SEAS undergraduate student working on course projects involving embedded systems, mechatronics, robotics, sensing technologies, and physical product development.
• Provide guidance on system architecture, engineering tradeoffs, prototyping strategies, subsystem integration, testing, and technical feasibility. Support engineering decision-making throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Mentor student teams throughout the design process, from concept development and prototyping through validation and final presentation.
• Support projects involving:
  • Embedded electronics and microcontroller-based systems
  • Sensor integration and data acquisition
  • Actuation, motor control, and power electronics
  • Electromechanical systems and machine design
  • Human-machine interfaces and interactive devices
  • Rapid prototyping and iterative product development
• Lead technical design reviews and provide feedback on engineering rigor, manufacturability, testing plans, reliability, and performance.
• Foster a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for design, prototyping, fabrication and machining.
• Establish and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for fabrication spaces and equipment.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, tools, and methodologies that enhance engineering education and innovation.
• Maintain safe operating practices across machining, electronics, digital fabrication, and prototyping environments.
• Monitor equipment usage and enforce laboratory policies and risk management procedures.

Laboratory Operations

• Foster a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for design, prototyping, fabrication and machining.
• Establish and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for fabrication spaces and equipment.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, tools, and methodologies that enhance engineering education and innovation.
• Maintain safe operating practices across machining, electronics, digital fabrication, and prototyping environments.
• Monitor equipment usage and enforce laboratory policies and risk management procedures.

Working Conditions:

The work is performed in settings which may be loud at times. Protective equipment is provided. 

The capacity to adjust to a flexible work schedule is critical. Some student activities organized and managed by this position may occur outside of a typical Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm work schedule, or during weekends. The Senior Design Engineer must be willing and able to be on site to supervise these activities.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires the ability to participate in moving and setup of equipment and supplies (up to 50lbs). 

Basic Qualifications:

• BS, MS, or PhD in Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience supporting engineering design, prototyping, fabrication, product development, instructional laboratories, makerspaces, research environments, or related technical settings.
• Demonstrated experience working with multidisciplinary engineering projects involving mechanical, electrical, or software systems.
• Experience supporting the design, development, testing, or prototyping of physical products or engineered systems.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Must be proficient at public speaking and able to present live instruction to groups of students.
• Experience developing integrated systems that combine mechanical, electrical, and software components.
• Experience with embedded systems, electronics prototyping, and electromechanical product development.
• Experience developing and delivering curricula, instructional materials, workshops, or educational programs in higher education, design studios, makerspaces, or similar environments.
• Experience supporting interdisciplinary engineering, design, entrepreneurship, or business-oriented programs.
• Strong knowledge of digital fabrication technologies, including CNC machining, laser cutting, additive manufacturing, electronics prototyping, and CAD/CAM workflows.
• Experience with robotics, mechatronics, automation systems, medical devices, consumer products, wearable technologies, or other complex physical systems.
• Experience with embedded platforms such as Arduino, STM32, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, or similar technologies.
• Experience with sensor integration, data acquisition, motor control, power electronics, or human-machine interface development.
• Proficiency with engineering and design software such as SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Onshape, Altium, KiCad, MATLAB, Python, or equivalent tools.
• Experience leading technical design reviews and mentoring multidisciplinary student project teams.
• Experience establishing laboratory procedures, equipment training programs, and operational safety practices.

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 standard hours per week. See “Working Conditions” for more information about the schedule.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity and Education
• Other Information:
  • Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to be considered for this position.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.