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Design Engineer

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
$76,300-$100,000
United States, North Carolina, Chapel Hill
104 Airport Dr (Show on map)
Aug 25, 2025
Posting Information
Posting Information












Department Physics and Astronomy-319000
Career Area Research Professionals
Posting Open Date 08/25/2025
Application Deadline 09/15/2025
Open Until Filled No
Position Type Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)
Working Title Design Engineer
Appointment Type EHRA Non-Faculty
Position Number 20072669
Vacancy ID NF0009253
Full Time/Part Time Full-Time Permanent
FTE 1
Hours per week 40
Position Location North Carolina, US
Hiring Range $76,300-$100,000
Proposed Start Date 10/01/2025
Position Information








Be a Tar Heel!
A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.
One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.
University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
Our primary mission is providing instruction of the highest quality in physics and astronomy to undergraduate and graduate students at UNC-CH. Training in physics is fundamental among the natural sciences because it provides understanding of the forces governing the structure of matter, from subatomic particles to the large-scale structure of the universe.

Our departmental instructional mission spans all segments of the student community. Over 60% of all college graduates from UNC-CH have taken a course in our department. Among them: undergraduate liberal arts majors who should master the power of quantitative reasoning; undergraduates seeking a degree in another of the natural sciences, who need physics as a foundation for their advanced scientific training; the small number of undergraduates who major in physics, to whom we provide broad and rigorous training. Our graduate education and research advances frontiers of knowledge at the two extremes of space and time, from the very small) the realm of particle physics) to the very large (the realm of astronomy, while expanding the boundaries of knowledge in the many subfields spanning length scales between. Forefront physics and astronomy research requires access to well-equipped laboratories and extensive computing capabilities; it also must be supported by comprehensive and accessible library collections. Again, in research at this advanced level, the bridging aspect of
physics provides basic interdisciplinary insight for many other sciences.

A strong managerial, administrative, and technical staff supports this instructional mission. Duties of these employees range from budget planning and management for the numerous research grants held by faculty in the department to maintaining course and student records. These activities are usually accomplished in a standard 40- hour week schedule.
Position Summary
The UNC group leading the LEGEND-1000 National Science Foundation ( NSF) project is seeking a mechanical design engineer. The LEGEND-1000 NSF project is part of an international collaboration to build and commission a major fundamental science experiment underground at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory ( LNGS) located near L'Aquila, Italy. The UNC group's design responsibilities relevant to this position are to design and procure the assembly fixturing and environmental control enclosures (gloveboxes) required to assemble the central detector array. In addition, responsibilities include working with the LEGEND-1000 Project Engineer to archive and control revisions on the mechanical design of the experiment and to provide additional design support as needed. The candidate will also assist with generating cost and schedule estimates. The primary location of this position will be on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill. Some domestic and international travel will be required.

Primary duties include:

  • Design fixtures and environmental control enclosure for assembling the Ge detector array.
  • Collaborate with other subject matter experts to optimize the assembly process.
  • Maintain the CAD repository for the project.
  • Tracking cost and schedule and helping draft project reports.
  • Contribute to other aspects of design for the group to support related R&D and testing and verification efforts.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor's degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

  • Expertise in use of Solidworks or equivalent CAD package(s)
  • Familiarity with use of Solidworks PDM or equivalent product life management software for use in collaborative revision control and archiving.
  • Demonstrated aptitude in creating custom mechanical solutions in a collaborative environment.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

  • Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent combination of degree and experience.
  • Experience with designing for cleanroom assembly in atmospheric isolation boxes (glovebox or purgebox).
  • Experience with collaborating on large CAD assemblies of >5000 parts.
  • Understanding of fabrication techniques such as machining, injection molding, and 3D printing.
  • Experience with periodic reporting of technical progress, cost, and schedule.
  • Understanding of design for inert gas environments UHV (ultra high vacuum) systems.
  • Basic principles of cryogenic design at liquid nitrogen temperatures .
  • Hands on experience with assembly and commissioning of instruments and/or machinery.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Special Instructions
Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/305745
Posting Contact Information




Department Contact Name and Title John Wilkerson, Distinguished Professor
Department Contact Telephone or Email jfw@unc.edu
Office of Human Resources Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu
Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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