Undergraduate or Graduate Research Assistants: Space Systems, AI, Robotics, and Electrified Transportation
Undergraduate or Graduate Research Assistants: Space Systems, AI, Robotics, and Electrified Transportation
DIRECT Lab and ASPIRE Engineering Research Center, Utah State University
ACA variable hourly position
US Work Authorization is required
About the labs
The DIRECT Lab (Decision Intelligence for Robotics, Embedded, and Cooperative Technologies) builds autonomous and intelligent systems for space, ground, and maritime applications. ASPIRE is a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center focused on electrified transportation and the infrastructure that supports it. Students hired under this posting may be working across both groups alongside graduate students, full-time engineers, and faculty.
Open areas
We are hiring undergraduates in four areas. You do not need to be an expert in any of them. You do need to be curious and willing to learn quickly.
- Satellite operating systems and flight software. Development and testing of flight software for small satellites, including embedded Linux, real-time systems, and frameworks such as F Prime. Work includes hardware-in-the-loop testing on flight-like hardware.
- AI and machine learning systems. Supporting and developing ML pipelines, training infrastructure, data management, and model deployment for research projects across the lab.
- Robotics and reinforcement learning. Simulation, control, and learning-based autonomy for ground, aerial, and multi-agent robotic systems.
- Electrified transportation. Data analysis, modeling, and software tools supporting vehicle electrification, charging infrastructure, and transportation energy studies.
Preferred qualifications
- Enrolled undergraduate at Utah State University in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, or a related field
- Programming experience in Python, C, or C++ (coursework counts)
- Comfort with Linux and Git, or a willingness to become comfortable quickly
- Ability to work independently and ask good questions
- Experience with embedded systems, ML frameworks, ROS, or simulation tools is a plus but not required
Position details
- Pay: starting at $15.00 per hour, based on experience
- Hours: [10 to 20] hours per week, flexible around class schedules
- Location: on campus, Logan, Utah
- Start date: [Spring 2027 / immediately]
How to apply
Send a short email to mario.harper@usu.edu with the subject line “Undergraduate RA Application.” Include:
- A resume
- A short paragraph on which area or areas interest you and why
- Optionally, you can provide links to any relevant projects, code, or coursework (GitHub welcome)
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled