Research Engineer 4

The Research Engineer IV will execute and lead complex engineering research and development activities involving structural and component design, advanced composite materials, mechanical testing, manufacturing processes, tooling, automation, and large-scale structural applications. The position will provide technical leadership in design, analysis, testing, manufacturing, and integration of advanced structures and components, including applications involving large-scale additive manufacturing, marine structures, and advanced composite systems.

The position will support the development and scale-up of innovative technologies from material and component-level research through full-scale structural design, manufacturing, testing, and demonstration. Research activities may include composite and hybrid structural design, material characterization, automated fabrication, resin transfer molding, pultrusion, thermoplastic processing, additive manufacturing, automated fiber placement, and advanced tooling systems. 

Work will be performed primarily at the Advanced Structures and Composites Center’s office in Portland, Maine, and laboratory in Brunswick, Maine. Travel between these locations and to the Center’s main research laboratory in Orono, Maine, will be required as needed. The hiring salary for this soft-money funded position is up to $125,000.

Please review the Research Engineer IV job description for more information.

About the University: 
The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu. 

The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefits for employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options.  

UMaine is located in beautiful Central Maine. Many employees report that a primary reason for choosing to come to UMaine is quality of life. Numerous cultural activities, excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, high quality medical care, little traffic, and a reasonable cost of living make the greater Bangor area a wonderful place to live. Visit the Maine Office of Tourism to learn more about what the Bangor region has to offer. 

Qualifications: 
Required: 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering field. 
• Seven plus years of significant professional experience in advanced composites, composite manufacturing, manufacturing process development, engineering design, tooling, automation, structural engineering, mechanics of materials, or related engineering research. 
• Experience with additive manufacturing, thermoplastic processing, composite manufacturing technologies such as resin infusion/RTM, pultrusion, and automated manufacturing. 
• Demonstrated ability to independently execute complex engineering research and solve multidisciplinary technical problems. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines and work effectively with multidisciplinary research teams and external partners. 

Preferred: 

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering field. 
• EI or Professional Engineer (PE) license. 
   

Other Information: 

To be considered for this position you will need to “Apply” and upload the documentation listed below:

1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position
2.) a resume/curriculum vitae

Candidates selected to proceed to the final stages of the search process will be requested to provide a list of names and contact information for references.

Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

For full consideration, materials must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. EST on November 13, 2026.

For questions about the search, please contact Kimberly Scribner, [email protected]. 

The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening and post offer physical.