Research and Development Director jobs in Pittsburgh, PA

Technical Director, IUP STEAMSHOP at RIDC Armstrong Park

The IUP STEAMSHOP is at the forefront of innovation, shaping the future of our region through cutting-edge programs in digital design and robotics. We are dedicated to empowering students, entrepreneurs, and regional businesses in their pursuit of excellence and creativity.

We are seeking a dynamic and visionary technical director to lead our organization's mission of expanding our digital electronics and physical computing makerspace facility while providing entrepreneurial training opportunities. As the Technical Director, you will play a pivotal role in steering our efforts at the RIDC Armstrong Innovation Park. Currently supported by $2.4 million in external funding, STEAMSHOP spans two locations on the IUP campus and the digital electronics facility in Armstrong County.

This position is funded through a federal grant and employment will be through the IUP Research Institute. The IUP Research Institute is a non-profit organization affiliated with the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and partners with faculty and staff to provide research administrative assistance at all stages of externally funded projects.

Key Responsibilities:

The focus of the position is to build on our commitment to engage students and the community with high-impact, career-relevant training experiences at the Northpointe facility in the RIDC Armstrong Innovation Park. The position is part-time with flexible hours that range from 10 to 20 per week and could be shared between two people.

Responsibilities include developing training materials for the digital electronics laboratory classroom at Northpointe, offering workshops, building relationships with regional businesses, overseeing open lab hours, and collaborating with our dedicated team of faculty, staff, and students.

In this pivotal role as STEAMSHOP Technical Director you will also:

· Manage the day-to-day operations of our Northpointe digital electronics lab.

· Create, plan, and advertise training opportunities.

· Develop supporting documentation for training workshops, including hardware and software designed to support projects.

· Assist with grant reporting and assessment to ensure accountability and meaningful impact.

Required Qualifications:

To excel in this role, you should possess:

· A strong background in digital electronics, computing, or a related field.

· Demonstrated experience in using digital electronics, including proficiency with use of electronics components such as breadboards, resistors, capacitors, transistors, power supplies, and wiring.

· Ability to utilize embedded electronics hardware containing microcontrollers (such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or NVIDA Jetson), A/D converters, power supplies, etc., including design of schematics and board layout.

· Basic programming skills.

· Willingness to lead workshops, and track record of exceptional management and communication skills.

· Demonstrated ability to work independently, maintain a professional demeanor, work as a team member without daily supervision, and effectively communicate with all groups of clients.

· A passion for education, innovation, and community engagement.

Preferred Qualifications:

Additional experience in the following relevant areas is highly valued and will set you apart:

· Bachelor's degree in a science, engineering, or other related field.

· Demonstrated knowledge in any of the following areas: designing digital and analog electronics hardware, developing software applications in an embedded environment, experience with a programming language/environment such as C, C , Java, Python, Android, Linux, or real time operating systems.

· Prior success in securing external funding through grants or partnerships.

· Familiarity with Arduino and Raspberry Pi.

· Configuring digital communications with embedded computing or digital devices.

Why Join Us:

IUP STEAMSHOP is more than a workplace; it's a community of innovators and creators. As part of our team, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of our region and make a meaningful impact on the lives of students, entrepreneurs, and businesses.

Application Deadline:

We are accepting applications until April 26th, 2024. Early applications are encouraged as we will review them on a rolling basis.

Learn More About Us:

Visit our website at https://www.iup.edu/steamshop/ to learn more about IUP STEAMSHOP and our mission.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The IUP Research Institute embraces diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. A child abuse and criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $27.00 - $30.00 per hour

Expected hours: 10 – 20 per week

Ability to Relocate:

• Freeport, PA 16229: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person