Summary

Job Summary

TheSmead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences(AES) is encouraging applications for theSoftware Engineer, Aerospace Labposition! The AES is a perennially top-ranked aerospace department. AES is one of six departments in the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, the state’s flagship higher education institution and campus. Founded in 1876, the Boulder campus is home to a community of more than 42,000 students and 10,000 faculty and staff across areas of study that include engineering, sciences, business, arts, law, and music.

AES is steadfast in our commitment to continuously facilitating equitable change in our department and beyond. We are wholly committed to creating and maintaining an environment with increased inclusion, diversity, justice, and equity, where all students, faculty, and staff feel a sense of belonging, are welcomed, and valued.

The Aerospace Software Engineer leads the software development and works with some of the related hardware for Smead AES' experiential learning (labs, demos, software simulations, etc.) and provides in-person lab management in support of the department's curriculum strategy. This position works with faculty and staff to create, maintain, and improve the software related to lab activities in undergraduate and graduate courses, especially those using the Aerospace Teaching Lab facilities and/or design courses such as Senior Projects Capstone, Graduate Projects, etc. This includes working closely with campus software support teams (OIT and ITLP) to identify and provide vital software programs and support to faculty, staff, and students. This position also helps manage the Aerospace Teaching Lab facilities, supervises student lab assistants, provides instructional research and support, maintains and creates necessary documentation of data-acquisition software and hardware, and maintains a software repository for lab resources. This position is supervised by the Smead Director and is managed day-to-day by the Associate Chair for Experiential Learning.

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.

Who We Are

Founded in 1893, the College of Engineering and Applied Science at CU Boulder is the second largest of seven schools and colleges at one of the nation's top public research institutions. As Colorado's flagship university, CU Boulder has selective admissions standards and a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs.

The college’s mission is to generate new knowledge in engineering and related fields, and to equip students from a diverse set of backgrounds to become leaders and citizens responsible for the betterment of individuals and society. Our vision is to be a recognized world leader for excellence and innovation in engineering research and education, with an emphasis on inclusive excellence, active learning and global society.

Responsibilities

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Aerospace Lab Software and Facility Support:

Collaborate with Integrated Teaching and Learning Program (ITLP) administrative support to ensure lab software needs are operational and maintained in computers in the Aerospace Teaching Labs (PILOT, COPILOT, Electronics shop Engine Test Cell, and other lab activity spaces).
Provide in-person troubleshooting for lab software issues during Aerospace lab course scheduled times.
Maintain and develop software solutions for improving or automating lab resource usage or activities. Examples include Qualtrics or Canvas for assisting lab faculty with student Peer Evaluations, Senior Projects Team formation algorithm, etc.
Work within the Aerospace department and ITLP to determine computer replacement schedules and funding requirements. Help determine the lifespan of computers and test and measurement equipment (oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, data acquisition hardware, etc.) and help determine when to make new purchases.
Continuously evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of software and computer technologies.
Provide support for peripherals such as Raspberry Pi, NI hardware, Arduino, Microchip, etc.
Use industry contacts and independent research to continuously create learning and technological opportunities, ensuring that students have modern, robust technology at their disposal.
Provide on-demand assistance to students and faculty users who experience diﬃculty with equipment or software.
Maintain a large portion of the Aerospace Teaching Lab equipment. Perform or coordinate minor repairs and/or contact the appropriate technical support and repair services for software-related equipment.
Manage the Aerospace Teaching Labs' inventory of data acquisition hardware, including proper storage, testing, checking in and out, and providing training to users.
Proactively focus on emerging software technologies to ensure that Aerospace Teaching Labs are considered to be at the forefront of the Aerospace profession.
Develop and maintain software repository standards for the department to meet the growing software support needs.

Aerospace Lab Module Support And Development

Maintain and develop software solutions for new and existing lab modules for hands-on undergraduate and graduate courses.
Develop software programs and tools for classes to support learning goals, lab development, etc.
Work with faculty and staff to design, build, and support laboratory experiments that require software support in the curriculum.
Test experimental software and related hardware prior to their use in classes, assist in person during experimentation, and make any urgent repairs/fixes/replacements to keep the labs on schedule.
Ensure implementation and management of new lab development, testing, and modeling. Improve existing labs through technology upgrades to improve student and faculty experiences.
Maintain test equipment software and hardware (e.g., wind tunnel and vibration table). Coordinate student access to test equipment both during and outside of class times.

Project Teams And Department Support

Serve as the software technical support lead on the Project Advisory Board to senior project capstone groups in the development of their design.
Support software activities for first-year projects, graduate projects, and student clubs (e.g., Design, Build, Fly (DBF); SRL (rocket club), etc.
Meet with teams regularly both in-person and remotely to provide necessary software technical support.
Install and/or develop, test, and troubleshoot measurement/DAQ data acquisition hardware and software that students and faculty need to use in lab facilities or on personal devices, including, but not limited to, Linus OS on Raspberry Pi, LabVIEW, Arduino, etc.
Research, suggest, and implement improvements and additions to software and services and related equipment provided for Aerospace faculty, staff, and students.
Learn existing software package solutions that support undergraduate and graduate Aerospace courses.
Suggest and develop new software solutions to improve course support. This may include automating processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness and using/developing machine learning tools like large language models.
Serve on the Undergraduate Operations Committee.
Provide software and related electronics support to faculty and students working on a wide variety of research projects.
Participate in and support department outreach activities that may occur during the academic year and summer sessions.

Lab Software And Hardware Documentation And Version Control

Maintain documentation of Aerospace Teaching Lab software and related data acquisition hardware.
Keep manufacturers’ documentation (software manuals, user manuals, service manuals, technical notes) up-to-date and readily available.
Write and/or maintain system documentation Aerospace Lab software (e.g., software installation instructions) and related lab equipment (e.g., workstation computers, power supplies, test and measurement equipment) that describe their use and are updated with system changes.
Provide appropriate user and code developer documentation for customer lab software developed in-house.
Maintain Aerospace Lab software repositories for custom code, data, and other instructional materials.

Student Instructional Workshops

Provide software technical presentations during course time (e.g., senior projects) and/or coordinate, schedule, and conduct workshops outside of the regular course schedule.
Provide instruction for faculty and students for software and related data acquisition systems. Instruction subject matter varies depending on student and faculty needs and may include Linux OS with Raspberry Pi, Git software repository, LabVIEW programming, Arduino hardware and software; use of the Aerospace data acquisition equipment or checkout equipment. Interaction may take the form of formal introductory and advanced workshops, short elements embedded in courses or content developed in collaboration with faculty or a hardware/software manufacturer.

Department Administration And Other Duties

Support the planning and execution of department events. This includes but is not limited to graduation ceremonies and receptions, AeroBuff Club events, and projects symposia.
Stay apprised and current on relevant University and State of Colorado policies and procedures.
Participate in professional development activities and serve on unit, college or campus committees as applicable.

What You Should Know

Typically in person Monday through Friday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, with some evening or weekend support as needed. This position may be eligible for a hybrid work modality, consistent with the College of Engineering and Applied Science Hybrid Work Policy .

What We Can Offer

The hiring range for this position is $60,000 - $67,500 annually.

Benefits

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 .

Be Statements

Be brilliant. Be empowered. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of experience and/or education.
One year of relevant software engineering experience, which may include experience gained while a student.

What You Will Need

Knowledge of software development in MATLAB and C programming.
Skill with one or more of the following: embedded systems, data acquisition systems, electronics, sensors, instrumentation, and electro-mechanical systems.
Knowledge of software version control software (e.g., Git).
Excellent communication skills.
Ability to use prior experience and knowledge to quickly troubleshoot, diagnose and solve complex problems using appropriate technology.
Ability to thrive independently as well as on a team.
Ability to collect and present clear data and explain processes to faculty, staff, and students.
Ability to learn from others and quickly teach oneself new software programs, technologies, engineering equipment, and applications.
Ability to thrive in a service-focused and fast-paced environment where quick decision-making and multitasking are demonstrated daily.
Strong planning and organizational skills.
Creative problem solver with strong critical thinking skills.
Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural, political, and geographical differences, with the ability to work well with faculty, staff, and students from around the world.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint.
Cultivates an environment of helpfulness, responsiveness, respect, flexibility, and courtesy.

What We Would Like You To Have

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
One year of hands-on engineering experience in software design and related engineering hardware applications.
Linux, C/C++, and Python experience is strongly desired.
Experience with PHP, MySQL, JQuery, HTML/CSS and JavaScript.
Experience with cloud services such as AWS or similar.
Experience with Matlab and Simulink.
Proficiency and demonstrated experience with data acquisition hardware and software, such as Linux with Raspberry Pi, C programming with Arduino, and LabVIEW with NI DAQ hardware.
Experience teaching software skills, technical skills, labs, or related material.

Special Instructions

To Apply, Please Submit The Following Materials

A current resume.
A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply byDecember 14, 2023for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs .