RESEARCH & DEV ENGINEER II

Location:

Suthana Lab, Departments of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering, Duke University

Position Summary:

The Suthana Lab seeks a highly skilled Research & Development Engineer to design, develop, and integrate immersive virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) platforms and synchronized wearable technology systems for neuroscience and health-related research. This role focuses on building the software content, experimental environments, and technical infrastructure that support advanced neuroscience studies, including ecologically valid and real-time interactive paradigms. The Research & Development Engineer will work closely with neuroscientists, engineers, clinicians, and creative collaborators to translate scientific concepts into deployable VR/AR content and robust multimodal technology platforms. The position requires strong expertise in real-time software development, hardware synchronization, and interdisciplinary collaboration at the intersection of engineering, neuroscience, and digital media.

Effort Allocation (Estimated):

VR/AR Software & Content Development - 40%; Hardware Integration & Synchronization - 30%; Systems Engineering & Tool Development - 20%; Collaborative Design & Research Support - 10%

Key Responsibilities:

VR/AR Software & Content Development (40%):

Design and implement immersive VR/AR applications using Unity and/or Unreal Engine to support neuroscience and health research. Develop interactive tasks, environments, and game-based content optimized for experimental control, modularity, and reproducibility. Translate high-level scientific goals into functional VR/AR paradigms in collaboration with research teams. Maintain and extend reusable software frameworks for rapid prototyping and deployment across studies.

Hardware Integration & Synchronization (30%):

Develop and maintain pipelines for integrating head-mounted displays (HMDs) with wearable and peripheral devices, including eye tracking, motion capture, physiological sensors, and neural interfaces. Implement precise time synchronization, triggering, and logging across software and hardware systems. Support real-time data streaming and offline alignment of multimodal data sources to ensure accurate temporal correspondence.

Systems Engineering & Tool Development (20%):

Write clean, modular, and well-documented code in C#, C++, Python, or related languages. Develop internal tools for experiment control, device communication, calibration, and data management. Contribute to shared codebases using version control and software engineering best practices. Support testing, validation, and documentation of software and hardware platforms.

Collaborative Design & Research Support (10%):

Collaborate with scientists, engineers, artists, and designers to create visually compelling and scientifically grounded interactive content. Participate in iterative design and rapid prototyping cycles to refine experimental platforms. Support adaptation of VR/AR content across virtual, augmented, and mixed-reality modalities.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Game Design, or a related technical field, or equivalent professional experience. Demonstrated expertise developing VR/AR applications using Unity and/or Unreal Engine. Strong programming skills in C#, C++, and/or Python. Experience integrating and synchronizing multiple hardware devices in real-time systems. Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within interdisciplinary teams. Strong communication and technical documentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience developing VR/AR platforms for health, neuroscience, or research-oriented applications. Familiarity with wearable sensing technologies, including eye tracking, inertial measurement units, motion capture, or physiological monitoring. Experience with multimodal data synchronization and real-time streaming systems. Prior collaboration with artists or designers on interactive digital content. Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git) and reproducible software development workflows.

Position Details:

This is a full-time position within a nationally recognized neuroscience and neurotechnology research program at Duke University. The role emphasizes technical ownership of VR/AR content and platform development, with opportunities to contribute to high-impact research, innovative experimental technologies, and grant-supported projects. Salary and title will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Anticipated Pay Range:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $66,587.00 to USD $100,880.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family- friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Work requires a thorough knowledge of the principles ofengineering and related natural sciences acquired through completion of a Bachelor's degree program in an Engineering science or a related natural science such as Physics or Chemistry. Due to professional exemption, equivalent experience cannot be substituted for bachelor's degree.

Work requires two years of related experience sufficient to acquire competency in the application of knowledge in the related Engineering field. A master's degree in an Engineering science or a related natural science may offset the required experience. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

Work requires two years of related experience sufficient to acquire competency in the application of knowledge in the related Engineering field. A master's degree in an Engineering science or a related natural science may offset the required experience. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.