Research Engineer, Field Networks

Thank you for your interest in employment with Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), System Administration and System Computing Services. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. We ask that you keep in mind the following when completing your application:

• Draft applications are saved automatically and can be accessed through your candidate home account.
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If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact our Human Resources department at (775) 784-4901.

Job Description

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) invites applications and nominations for the position of Research Engineer, Field Networks. This is a soft-funded, renewable, full-time, non-tenured, administrative position and reports to the Principal Research Engineer. The position will be primarily located in Reno, Nevada.

The NSHE is comprised of eight institutions: two universities, a state university, four community colleges and a research institute. The public system of higher education in Nevada continues to experience growth with significant opportunities in serving over 105,000 students and 15,000 employees. 

The Research Engineer, Field Networks develops and maintains data networking, power systems, and user device integration solutions for forward-facing remote field site technology deployments within SCS/NevadaNet, focused on supporting academic research and related education at Nevada’s leading research universities and state/community colleges, as well as within regional multi-state partnerships engaged by our research institutions. This includes leadership, collaboration, and contribution to major technology- and network-dependent science and engineering projects across Nevada and the national research and education technology ecosystem. The position is supported by the rest of the NSHE-SCS Research Engineering and Infrastructure Services team, leveraging SCS/NevadaNet’s central position in NSHE to pioneer implementation of leading-edge technologies as part of statewide digital transformation of connectivity, research, and education.

The Research Engineer, Field Networks works under the supervision of a Principal Research Engineer, with other SCS core engineering teams, distributed NSHE faculty and staff, and regional partners. The position possesses and continually develops a deep knowledge of remote site field operations, configuration and deployment of networking and computing hardware in harsh environments, troubleshooting, and technical management procedures. Primary technical areas of focus will be assigned based on the incumbent’s skills and/or SCS’s needs in areas of research engagement and support. Additional technical areas of focus will be assigned based on cross-training needs in SCS or affiliated funded research projects within NSHE. Technical areas of focus include, but are not limited to: field operations (e.g., construction and maintenance of infrastructure and technology systems in remote environments), off-road vehicle operations (e.g., 4×4 truck, OHV, OSV), wilderness operations (e.g., navigation, survival and safety, emergency communications), elements of data network hardware and software (e.g., fiber and copper circuits, routers, switches, wireless bridges, wireless gateways, edge computing hosts), network control (e.g., routing protocols, security, cellular architecture), operating system environments (e.g., Linux, Windows, software containers), scientific sensor systems (e.g., Campbell Scientific, Onset, Solinst), power and electrical systems (e.g., photovoltaic generation, DC distribution, charging and regulation, circuit design, outdoor enclosure fabrication, power protection methods and tools). Technologies and solutions built by this position for research service areas will contribute to regional Team Science projects spanning NSHE institutions and regional university and agency partners. The Research Engineer, Field Networks expands NSHE off-fiber networking capabilities with deeper subject matter expert level understanding of wireless, wide-area wilderness operations, and edge technology systems. 

Under a Principal Research Engineer, the Research Engineer, Field Networks has substantial interaction with active research projects across NSHE institutions and regional partners as well as Federal and State offices/agencies with network-driven service missions. The Research Engineer, Field Networks may lead low-to-medium complexity projects under direct guidance of a senior colleague and will participate in regional/national research computing and data (RCD) communities. The Research Engineer, Field Networks occasionally provides training and education to junior colleagues and/or students and contributes technical information to funding proposals or publications that promote and expand Nevada’s higher-education and scientific capabilities, school and library connectivity, and rural digital equity. 

SALARY GRADE: Grade C (starting salary range approximately $80,000 to $105,000.00; depending on experience). A benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and retirement. 

APPROXIMATE STARTING DATE: February 1, 2025

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The successful candidate must have earned a Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related technical field from a regionally accredited institution with two (2) years of direct relatable experience related to Field Science, Telecommunications, or Information Technology, (or) an Associate’s degree with four (4) years of direct relatable experience related to Field Science, Telecommunications, or Information Technology, (or) alternatively, six (6) years of direct relatable experience related to Field Science, Telecommunications, or Information Technology.

Preference will be given to candidates whose work experience is directly applicable to performing or contributing to research and development in a technical field of science or engineering; and/or whose relevant experience is in a higher education or academic environment.

License or certificate required for this position: Licenses or certificates are not required. However, additional consideration may be given to candidates with professional certifications directly applicable to the primary technical areas of focus with which the incumbent will be engaged. Examples include certifications relevant to wilderness operations, telecommunications, specific operating systems, and enterprise hardware or platforms.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Successful candidates must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is recommended that applicants for this position demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas within their application materials:

• Knowledge of computer networking, server, operating system, and data concepts directly applicable to wide-area networking, sensor systems, data acquisition systems, internet-of-things, and digital security.
• Advanced knowledge of Radio Frequency (RF) engineering, signal propagation concepts, wireless communication methods, and wireless solutions design.
• Knowledge of electrical systems (especially DC, photovoltaic, and battery systems) design, integration, operation, and troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of IT systems monitoring, telemetry methods, and basic analytics.
• Experience in wireless hardware configuration, deployment, and operation.
• Experience in computing and networking hardware deployment and operation.
• Experience in OS (or device “firmware”) systems administration and management.
• Experience in field or wilderness operations: safety measures, planning and communication, weather and environmental conditions assessment, and equipment/logistics preparation.
• Experience with off-road operations: 4×4 trucks, off-high-vehicles, over-snow-vehicles, operations techniques, vehicle recovery.
• Experience with mechanical and fabrication tools: metal structure/frame assembly, antenna and mast assembly, and electrical enclosure assembly.
• Experience analyzing and troubleshooting technology as part of pilot or R&D deployments.
• Experience with Microsoft productivity tools (Visio, Word, Excel, Teams, Sharepoint).
• Ability to effectively prioritize multiple tasks based on criticality and workload.
• Ability to effectively communicate with users, peers, and management objectively and with a courteous and professional attitude.
• Ability to discern when independent action, peer collaboration, or escalation through a chain of command is needed to resolve issues.
• Ability to exercise strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a creative mindset.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills across a variety of audiences, including technical and non-technical users, team members, and managers.
• Ability to research, pilot, and provide in-depth analysis related to new technologies, tools, and methodologies.
• Experience performing routine technical tasks and solving problems of low to medium complexity relevant to R&D initiatives within NSHE.
• Ability to meticulously analyze and troubleshoot problems.
• Experience participating in the implementation of technically complex projects affecting many end-users.
• Ability to work non-standard hours, i.e. some nights and weekends or extended field campaigns, participate in research team meetings, and travel to remote field sites as needed, in support of SCS’s research-facing operations.
• Familiarity with system and service lifecycles, including selection, procurement, design, maintenance, and decommissioning.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The duties of this position will include, but not be limited to, the following areas of responsibility.

• Research and evaluate various wireless network protocol and hardware solutions for field science.
• Pilot and test new wired and wireless technology solutions for low-power, remote site deployments.
• Design robust and minimalistic power generation and management solutions for different scales of field science operations.
• Assist in designing and implement implementing infrastructure monitoring data telemetry, along with dashboards and basic analytics.
• Work with regional network architects to design appropriate user and device connection security, routing topologies, and management workflows.
• Plan and execute all-season field operations to construct, install, test, and maintain remote data network infrastructure.
• Setup, configure, and test field networking, power systems, and infrastructure monitoring systems in laboratory spaces prior to deployment.
• Monitor field network systems and remotely diagnose/troubleshoot operational problems in the network and support infrastructure.
• Work with field scientists and students to integrate their field equipment into edge networks and power systems.
• Document deployments via code annotations, visual diagrams, and online documents, recording and archiving configuration information, secure access methods, and design layouts.
• Contribute to science and engineering development by compiling/publishing best practices and architectural solutions for the Nevada and national education and research technology communities.
• Contribute to nationally and internationally impactful science and engineering working groups with networking and technology applications.
• Lead/organize technology sessions and workshops in scientific and engineering conferences.
• Pursue collegial integration across NSHE institutions through student & faculty collaborations, science project participation, and student mentoring.
• Promote professional development of diverse personnel and non-traditional education tracks.
• Develop technical expertise through participation in formal and informal educational sessions, seminars, workshops, and vendor technology demonstrations.
• Oversee tasks and project work by junior colleagues in a team environment.
• Assist in recruitment, hiring, and developing new personnel in SCS.
• Work with the Principal Research Engineer and other senior personnel on project and budget planning.
• Maintain project records, logs, and documentation using appropriate SCS procedures and tools.

TO APPLY: The application process will be handled through the Workday on-line search process. Application materials must include a current resume, detailed cover letter, and the name, email address and telephone number of four professional references willing to be contacted. Applicants should fully describe qualifications and experience as the initial review evaluates applicants based on documented, relevant qualifications and professional work experience. Applications will be considered incomplete without all requested materials. References will only be contacted for those who advance to the final phase of the search and with prior consent of the applicant. The review of materials will begin immediately. Materials should be addressed to Sherry Olson, Human Resources, and are to be submitted via on-line application at https://nshe.nevada.edu/administration/human-resources/. For assistance with NSHE’s on-line applicant portal, contact Sherry Olson at (775) 784-4901.

INTERNAL APPLICANTS: Current employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education MUST use the “Find Jobs” process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at NSHE institutions. Once you log into Workday and type “Find Jobs” in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site. Locate the specific job posting by typing the requisition number (e.g. R0000000) in the search box.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications may be submitted until the position is filled. The review of materials will begin immediately, however, for full consideration applications should be submitted by December 31, 2024.

For more information about the Nevada System of Higher Education, please visit our website at www.nevada.edu. The Nevada System of Higher Education hires only United States citizens and noncitizens lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. NSHE is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, creed, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Exempt

Yes

Full-Time Equivalent

100.0%

Required Attachment(s)

Application materials must include a current resume, detailed cover letter, and names, addresses, and telephone numbers of four professional references willing to be contacted.

Posting Close Date

Note to Applicant

A background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcements. Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs.

HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents.

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