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Research and Development Engineer (RSCH AND DEV ENGR 2 TX)

University of California - Davis
vision insurance, parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, sick time, long term disability, tuition reimbursement
United States, California, Davis
Apr 02, 2026
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Job ID
85316
Location
Davis
Full/Part Time
Full Time
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Job Summary

#CA-PS
Under general direction, the incumbent will support research and prototype development projects with a strong emphasis on mechanical design, machining, CAM, and general fabrication workflows. The position focuses on translating design concepts into manufacturable components and assemblies using CNC machining, additive manufacturing, and conventional fabrication methods. A strong understanding of CAD (preferably Solidworks and or Autodesk Fusion) is required.

The incumbent will collaborate with the facility director, senior engineers, researchers, students, and external clientele to develop prototypes for research, instructional, and medical/medical-adjacent applications. Responsibilities include mechanical design support, fabrication planning, part production, and assembly, as well as contributing to the safe and effective operation of advanced prototyping facilities.

Apply By Date

4/22/2026 at 11:59pm

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and relevant technical experience.
  • Minimum 3 years of experience applying engineering principles in mechanical design, prototype fabrication, or advanced manufacturing within a research, laboratory, or R&D environment.
  • Experience developing CAD models and generating CAM toolpaths for CNC machining of metals and plastics.
  • Experience performing assembly and testing of experimental equipment or prototype systems of moderate complexity.
  • Working knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, CAD/CAM systems, CNC machining processes, and fabrication materials sufficient to support moderately complex prototype development assignments under general supervision.
  • Demonstrated technical and analytical skills to translate design concepts into manufacturable components, perform assembly and testing of prototype systems, and document engineering work accurately and clearly.
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment within established engineering practices, manage multiple assignments of moderate scope, and collaborate effectively with researchers, students, and technical staff in a laboratory or prototyping environment.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with CAD (Autodesk inventor, Solidworks), CAM, Matlab, Labview.
  • Experience with mechanical components design and fabrication. Experience with 3D printing.
  • Knowledge of UC policies and departmental operating procedures.

Key Responsibilities

  • 70% - Development & Fabrication
  • 20% - Facilities & Equipment Support
  • 10% - Collaboration & Documentation

Department Overview

The Tech Foundry is a state-of-the-art academic makerspace and technology center with the core value to provide engineering services to all in need. Currently, Tech Foundry has two locations, one in Davis and a second as an anchor tenant of Aggie Square on UC Davis' Sacramento campus. Aggie Square is the home to research programs, private industry, classrooms, housing, and public-facing programs that engage local communities and entrepreneurs. Aggie Square is adjacent to the UC Davis Medical Center that is the region's only level 1 trauma center north of San Francisco. It serves as a hub of innovation focused on discovering and sharing knowledge while providing the highest quality of patient care.

The Tech Foundry is a core device development facility with a mission to support research, innovation, and instructional support in the medical domain and beyond. The lab's engineering expertise and state-of-the-art equipment are uniquely tuned for the demands of the medical field and its applications and applicable to most disciplines encompassing engineering.

The Aggie Square Sacramento facility is a technology design and development center with over 7,500 square-feet. Tech Foundry at Aggie Square will be equipped with advanced technologies including 3D printing, CNC (Computer Numerical Control) subtractive manufacturing technologies, and Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) facilities and services. It will expand services to UC Davis Health programs including 3D PrintViz, the Comprehensive Cancer Center, clinical applications, the basic science research community, start-up companies, health care professionals, and additional applicable organizations. It will also support multi-disciplinary training and education of future innovators including engineers, health professionals, technology companies and aspiring youth.

The Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) is a large, complex academic department in the College of Engineering and provides instruction and research in multiple areas of biomedical engineering. The BME department is responsible for administering $29M- $32M in annual expenditures (FY25 ~$17M in sponsored projects). BME has approximately 500+ undergraduate students and a graduate group of 120 students and a newly approved self-supporting professional degree (Master of Engineering in Medical Device Development). BME has 70 academic and staff employees including postdoctoral scholars, project scientists and other scholars.

POSITION INFORMATION

  • Salary or Pay Range: $75,000.00/yr. - $135,600.00/yr.

  • Salary Frequency: Annual
  • Salary Grade: STEPS
  • UC Job Title: RSCH AND DEV ENGR 2 TX
  • UC Job Code: 004757
  • Number of Positions: 1
  • Appointment Type: Staff: Career
  • Percentage of Time: 100% Fixed
  • Shift (Work Schedule): M - F 8:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Location: Davis, CA
  • Union Representation: TX-Technical Professionals
  • Benefits Eligible: Yes
  • This position is 100% on-site

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility rules by visiting either our handy Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees and our Benefits Page.

If you are represented by a union, benefits are negotiated between the University of California (UC) and your union and finalized in a contract. Read your bargaining unit's employment contract, stay abreast of current negotiations and learn about collective bargaining at UC: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/index.html

  • High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
  • UC pays for Dental and Vision insurance premiums for you and your family
  • Extensive leave benefits including Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave
  • Paid Holidays annually as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
  • Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
  • Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Education Reimbursement Program as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
  • Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
  • WorkLife and Wellness programs and resources
  • On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
  • Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance and legal coverage
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer & Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program for qualified roles
  • Retirement benefit options for eligible roles including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans. More information on our retirement benefits can be found here

Physical Demands

  • Standing - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
  • Walking - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
  • Sitting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
  • Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
  • Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
  • Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
  • Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
  • Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
  • Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
  • Bending/Stooping - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
  • Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
  • Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
  • Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
  • Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
  • Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Occasional Up to 3 Hours

Environmental Demands

  • Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
  • Loud noise levels - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
  • Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
  • Microwave/Radiation - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
  • Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
  • Extreme Temperatures - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
  • Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Mental Demands

  • Sustained attention and concentration - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
  • Complex problem solving/reasoning - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
  • Ability to organize & prioritize - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
  • Communication skills - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
  • Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
  • Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
  • Customer/Patient Contact - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
  • Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Occasional Up to 3 Hours

Work Environment

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

Employee is responsible for following health and safety guidelines/instructions in research laboratories and related areas. Employee must be able to adjust to a fluctuating workload, work flexible hours during the work week, and work occasional evening and weekends. Employee is required to wear appropriate protective clothing. No eating is allowed in the work area.

Special Requirements - Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position

  • This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we're committed to solving life's most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

To view the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere

To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks

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