Application Open:
Full-Time
Job Purpose:
The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) is seeking highly skilled and innovative Facility Technicians with a strong focus on hands-on experience to join the Robot Learning Laboratory, a state-of-the-art core facility. This role is ideal for candidates who have a strong background in mechanical, electronics, and computer engineering, with a passion for building and deploying advanced robotic systems. With an emphasis on practical implementation complemented by research-driven innovation, this position focuses on translating cutting-edge robotics and AI research into real-world applications, robotic platforms that adapt to diverse, dynamic environments.
Key Responsibilities:
Collaboration and Coordination:
- Collaborate with department heads and research centers to align project goals with institutional priorities.
- Collaborate with the Principal Investigator (PI), multidisciplinary and cross-functional team members to coordinate research activities, milestones, and deliverables to support lab research goals.
- Collaborate with faculties to collect, analysis and deconstruct customer needs, gather and analysis system requirements, prepare specifications, source and communicate ideal vendors and prototype OEMs, define solutions, define R&D roadmap schedule, fast prototyping, rapid delivery of working demonstrator, implement solutions, oversee test case execution, resolve issues.
- Assist in Embodied-AI system analysis, setup, design, development, configuration, maintenance, and optimization across various labs and testing environments.
- Support the integration and deployment of AI algorithms for training and testing Embodied-AI systems.
- Oversee the development of simulation environments for Embodied-AI training.
- Monitor testing phases in industrial, agriculture, healthcare, and space-related applications.
- Support research outreach and promotion efforts in collaboration with the Research & Innovation Communication team.
Program, Project, Inventory, Resource and Budget Management:
- Act as a program/project/product manager role between researchers, engineers, and external collaborators.
- Develop and maintain R&D roadmap schedule, detailed project timelines, ensuring milestones are met.
- Organize meetings, prepare agendas, and facilitate communication among stakeholders.
- Track expenses, manage procurement, and ensure budget compliance for research equipment and resources.
- Monitor progress across multiple focus areas and use cases (e.g., Embodied-AI applications).
- Manage procurement processes for equipment (e.g., Embodied-AI systems, servers, solar panels).
- Overseeing the allocation and use of resources, including budgeting for new equipment, managing inventory, ensuring efficient use of materials, and optimizing resource utilization.
Robotic Systems Design, Development & Maintenance:
- Design/develop robotic systems and components, including sensors, actuators, control systems, integrate mechanical systems with electronic controls and software, configure/program/ maintain automation devices, optimize systems, resolve issues.
- Integrate and test custom robot control code written by engineers and researchers who develop algorithms in C++/Python, upgrade/migrate/optimize code base to a variety of equipment and robotics hardware while ensuring smooth transition with minimal impact on research activities.
- Ensuring that all robotic equipment and systems are properly maintained and functioning. This includes regular inspections, troubleshooting, and coordinating repairs.
Operation, Maintenance and Technical Support:
- Ensuring that all robotic equipment and systems are properly maintained and functioning. This includes regular inspections, troubleshooting, and coordinating repairs.
- Managing data generated by the robots, including storage, analysis, and ensuring data security.
- Providing technical support for the operation of robots and related systems. This may involve training staff and students on how to use the equipment.
Innovation and Improvement:
- Develop preventive maintenance procedures, quality standards, identify and optimize processes for automation, enhance system performance and reliability through the latest technologies.
- Staying updated with the latest advancements in robotics and integrating new technologies into the laboratory to enhance its capabilities.
- Development of Cutting-Edge Experimental Facilities (Platform) and establish SOTA consolidated systematical experimental conditions.
- Optimizing last mile services, closing all the gaps, and removing all obstacles.
Safety and Compliance:
- Collaborate with safety and compliance teams to conduct risk assessments, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Ensure automated systems comply with safety standards/regulations.
- Ensure compliance with institutional policies, funding agency requirements, and regulatory standards.
Reporting and Documentation:
- Assist in preparing research publications and funding proposals.
- Draft and maintain the documents with organized repositories for automation systems, design specifications, architecture, configuration, integration points, operation procedures, manuals, reports, presentations, change logs and training materials.
Other Duties:
- Perform all other duties as reasonably directed by the line manager that are commensurate with these functional objectives (apply to all core facilities).
Academic Qualification:
- Master’s or PhD degree in Robotics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Control Systems, Aerospace Engineering, Design Engineering, Computer Science or related field.
Professional Experience:
Essential
- Hands-on experience with robotic systems, ROS, mechatronics and control system, including design, development, programming, assembly, deployment, troubleshooting, maintenance, safety standards and practices.
- Excel in multi-tasking, organization, communication, collaboration, conflict resolution, work ethic, and time-management to thrive under pressure with a results-driven service mindset.
Preferred
- Hands-on experience with industrial and humanoid robots, Cobots, and automation systems, including simulation, programming, deployment, and testing with OEMs like Kuka, Fanuc, ABB, and Yokogawa.
- Hands-on experience with UAV flight control systems, operations, communication, test automation frameworks, and simulators such as Gazebo and AirSim, and PX4 software.
- Hands-on experience in 3D printing, 3D modeling (SolidWorks, Maya, AutoCAD, Creo, Rhino, Alias), and simulation tools (MATLAB, Simulink).
- Hands-on experience in design and implementation of embedded systems.
- Hands-on experience in industrial communication protocols, including MODBUS, Profibus, ProfiNet, HART, and Ethernet.
- Hands-on experience in IoT protocols (MQTT, AMQP, CoAP) and cloud platforms like Azure IoT Hub and AWS IoT Core.
- Background in mechatronics engineering across industries such as automotive, manufacturing, aerospace, consumer electronics, and healthcare.
- Ability to develop and manage relationships with industry and academic partners to enhance MBZUAI’s research initiatives.
- Relevant certifications such as Certified Mechatronics Systems Assistant (CMSA) and Certified Automation Professional (CAP) are advantageous.
- Proficiency in data analytics for process optimization and continuous improvement.
- Experience in facilitating cross-functional workshops and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration.
- Experience in higher education or research institutions, with an understanding of core research facility operations.
