Job Description

The Senior Research Engineer is part of the Institute for Software Integrated Systems at Vanderbilt
University and is a key individual contributor responsible for engineering and/or software design,
implementation, analysis, and maintenance or experimentation. This position assists the Principal
Investigator and System Architect with development and maintenance of discipline-specific software
systems and/or engineering tools to support project and research goals. Reporting directly to the
Principal Investigator, the Senior Research Engineer regularly collaborates with a team including but not
limited to Research Engineers, Research Scientists, and System Architects to accomplish project-specific
goals.


About the Work Unit:
The Institute for Software Integrated Systems conducts basic and applied research in the area of systems
and information science and engineering. Applications of its technology span a wide range of software intensive systems from small embedded devices, through real-time distributed systems, to globally
deployed complex systems. Software is increasingly essential to the functions of these systems, and it is
also the primary means of adapting them to their environments and users. Our research interests lie in
the theoretical foundations, modeling, design, engineering, and educational aspects of these systems.


Key Functions and Expected Performance:
- Assist with modeling and analysis of discipline-specific engineering problems
- Assist Principal Investigator and/or System Architect with the development and maintenance of
discipline-specific software systems and/or engineering tools to support project and research
goals
- Perform engineering and/or software design, implementation, analysis, maintenance, or
experimentation as directed by Principal Investigator and lead Engineers
- Adhere to existing technical standards and recommend or develop new standards, as applicable
Prepare technical documentation for work products of the project
- Maintain familiarity with and expertise in emerging technologies and techniques related to
project and research goals
- Provide Principal Investigator and /or System Architect with accurate documentation of all
systems within project research area of direct involvement or responsibility
- Provide Principal Investigator and/or System Architect with data to assist in evaluation of project
research direction and progress, providing input on solutions as necessary
- Provide Principal Investigator and /or System Architect with daily documentation of work
performed
- Effectively deliver technical progress reports and presentations in written and oral forms to
project research staff and faculty
- Communicate regularly, effectively, and professionally with Principal Investigator, System
Architect, and research team
- Share research knowledge, product, and processes with Principal Investigator, System Architect,
and research team
- Other tasks as assigned


Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have supervisory responsibility, this position reports administratively and
functionally to the Principal Investigator.


Education and Certifications:
- A Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering is
necessary
- A Master’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering is
preferred


Experience and Skills:
The following are required:
- 8-11 years of relevant work experience is required. Relevant education can be substituted for
required experience.
- Solid, established skills in software system development and software systems engineering
- Ability to design, implement, test, document, and maintain technical research software
- Practical knowledge of software development tools, programming languages such as C/C++ and
Python, as needed by project
- Knowledge of state-of-the-art software development techniques and processes, with focus on
sensor processing, embedded computing, and applied machine learning
- Competency in computer networking, networking equipment, and network protocols
The following are preferred:
- Knowledge of autonomous vehicle technologies and related embedded computing systems
- Experience with testing and evaluation of autonomous vehicles
- Experience with machine learning technologies
- Competency in modeling, simulation, testing, and optimization of cyber-physical systems