The posting
Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that stands among the world’s most renowned education institutions. With ground-breaking brain science, path-breaking performances, creative start-ups, big data, big ambitions, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn’t imagine the future, we invent it. If you’re passionate about joining a community that challenges the curious to deliver work that matters, your journey starts here!
The Robotics Innovation Center (RIC) highlights the many ways that CMU is both investing in the local community and meeting American needs in key national security and economic sectors. This facility brings together many of the university’s key areas of strength — academic excellence, collaboration without boundaries, innovation without limits, leadership in science and technology, and research that translates to real-world applications — making it both a proving ground for the present and a launch pad for the future.
The RIC is seeking a Technical Support Specialist to join the team! This role is responsible for the daily operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and user support of the Robotics Innovation Center's Special Purpose Spaces, including the motion capture systems, drone research facilities, wet laboratory, and water tank testing environments. This position provides direct technical support to faculty, researchers, students, and project teams to ensure reliable operation of critical research infrastructure and experimental equipment. The position will also support general RIC building operations.
The successful candidate will combine strong and diverse technical troubleshooting skills with excellent customer service, supporting a variety of robotics, autonomy, aerial systems, and aquatic research activities.
Key Responsibilities
Motion Capture System Support
- Provide daily operational support for optical motion capture systems and associated hardware and software.
- Calibrate, configure, and maintain motion capture cameras, markers, tracking systems, and data acquisition equipment.
- Troubleshoot motion capture hardware, software, networking, and synchronization issues.
- Assist researchers with experiment setup, data collection, and system optimization.
- Monitor system performance and coordinate preventative maintenance activities.
- Maintain documentation, procedures, and user guides for motion capture facilities.
Drone Cage Motion Capture Support
- Support motion capture systems used for UAV and aerial robotics testing.
- Configure and validate tracking performance within drone flight test environments.
- Assist researchers and project teams with flight-test preparation and operational activities.
- Verify system accuracy, coordinate frame alignment, and integration with flight-control and navigation systems.
- Support safe operation of drone testing facilities and ensure compliance with established safety procedures.
- Troubleshoot communication, telemetry, tracking, and network-related issues associated with aerial robotics research.
Wet Laboratory Technical Support
- Provide technical support for robotics-related wet laboratory operations and equipment.
- Assist users with laboratory setup, instrumentation, and experimental configurations.
- Monitor laboratory equipment functionality and coordinate repairs and maintenance as needed.
- Maintain laboratory inventory, supplies, and consumables.
- Ensure compliance with laboratory safety procedures, chemical handling requirements, and environmental regulations.
- Support facility readiness for research projects and educational activities.
Water Tank Facility Support
- Support operation and maintenance of water tank testing facilities used for robotics and autonomy research.
- Assist researchers with underwater, aquatic, and marine robot experimentation.
- Set up and maintain instrumentation, sensors, cameras, networking equipment, and data acquisition systems.
General Technical and other Support
- Respond to user support requests and provide timely resolution of technical issues.
- Coordinate facility scheduling and ensure readiness for research testing activities.
- Maintain equipment inventories, asset records, and maintenance logs.
- Coordinate with engineering, IT, facilities, vendors, and external service providers.
- Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and technical documentation.
- Support research demonstrations, outreach events, and facility tours.
- Recommend improvements to facility infrastructure, reliability, and operational efficiency.
- Track project use of labs for billing purposes.
- Assist with general building operations as assigned.
Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.
Qualifications:
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical field.
- Experience supporting research, laboratory, testing, or technical facilities.
- Experience troubleshooting hardware, software, networking, and instrumentation systems.
- Strong hands-on technical troubleshooting skills.
- Ability to work independently while supporting multiple research groups and projects.
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
- A combination of education and proven experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with motion capture systems such as Vicon, OptiTrack, Qualisys, or similar platforms.
- Experience supporting UAV/drone research environments.
- Knowledge of robotics platforms, sensors, embedded systems, and data acquisition systems.
- Experience with laboratory operations and safety protocols.
- Familiarity with Linux, ROS/ROS2, networking, and research computing environments.
- Experience supporting aquatic robotics testing facilities.
- Ability to quickly learn new systems and technologies.
Requirements:
- Successful completion of a pre-employment background check
Working Conditions:
- Frequent work in laboratory, workshop, and experimental research environments.
- Occasional lifting and movement of equipment up to 70 pounds.
- Work may involve operation around drones, robotics platforms, water tank systems, and laboratory equipment.
- Use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.
Position Impact:
This role is critical to maintaining the operational readiness of the Robotics Innovation Center's research infrastructure and enabling successful execution of robotics, autonomous systems, aerial robotics, and aquatic robotics research programs. The position directly supports faculty, students, and industry partner research activities by ensuring reliable, safe, and efficient operation of specialized research facilities.
Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.
Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.
Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!
For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.
At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.
Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Job Function
Technicians
Position Type
Staff – Regular
Full Time/Part time
Full time
Pay Basis
Salary
More Information:
- Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
- Click here to view a listing of employee benefits
- Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.
- Statement of Assurance
