Grants & Contracts Specialist, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering in Cockrell School of Engineering

Job Posting Title: Grants & Contracts Specialist, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering in Cockrell School of Engineering ---- Hiring Department: Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering ---- Position Open To: All Applicants ---- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 ---- FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA ---- Earliest Start Date: Immediately ---- Position Duration: Expected to Continue ---- Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS ---- Job Details: General Notes As a top-10 engineering school with the No. 1 program in Texas, the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) has been a global leader in technology innovation and engineering education for over a century. With 11 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs, over 20 research centers and a faculty community that boasts one of the highest number of National Academy of Engineering members among U.S. universities, Texas Engineering has launched some of the nation’s most accomplished leaders and pioneered world-changing solutions in virtually every industry, from space exploration to energy to health care. Situated in the heart of Austin — named “America’s Coolest City” by Expedia and “The Best Place to Live in the U.S.” by U.S. News and World Report — the Cockrell School embodies the city’s innovative spirit. Major companies with Austin campuses, such as Dell, National Instruments, Apple, IBM, Samsung, Google and many others, continue to recruit Cockrell School students at a remarkable rate, launching thousands of successful careers and developing Texas Engineers into industry leaders. UT Austin, recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Large Employers, provides outstanding employee benefits and total rewards packages that include: Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%) Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 7.75% employer matching funds Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b) Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities Tuition assistance Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card Department Notes As a top-10 engineering school, the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin has been a global leader in technology innovation and engineering education for over a century. In the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, we design and build devices and systems that transform industries and improve lives around the world. With nearly 70 faculty members, 30 staff members, 1500 students and thousands of alumni worldwide, the Walker Department has a supportive community aspired to solve the most pressing challenges of the 21st century through world class research, unsurpassed student education, and dedicated service to the community. Purpose The Grants and Contracts Specialist position support grant proposals and award efforts within the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering. This includes assisting with proposal preparation and submission to the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) and managing awards and subawards. This position will work closely with other members of the Department Research Administrator team. Responsibilities Financial Administration and Contracts Collaborate with the ME Finance Team on financial reporting and reconciliation.  Process and submit non-funded agreements (DUAs, NDAs, CDCPs).  Support sub-award management and coordination with external institutions.  Manage cost-share documentation.  Provide oversight on external and internal sponsored projects.  Create re-budgets as awards are renewed or other ad hoc times.  Compliance and Reporting  Assist PIs/faculty members with RPPRs, Just-In-Time documentation, and other sponsor-required reports at the institutional and federal level.  Support PIs with monitoring and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.  Pre-Award Perform proposal and pre-award activities for faculty within the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering.   Other duties as assigned Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, research administration, or related field.  Three (3) years of experience supporting research administration.  Working knowledge of federal, state, and institutional regulations governing sponsored research (e.g., Uniform Guidance, NIH, NSF policies).  Experience using electronic research administration systems (e.g., UTRMS, Cayuse, Grants.gov, NSF Research.gov or FastLane).  Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and external partners.  Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Preferred Qualifications More than three (3) years of experience supporting research administration.  Familiarity with sub-award management, including coordination with external institutions and compliance monitoring.  Proficiency in financial systems such as DEFINE, Workday, and experience with budget reconciliation and award setup.  Ability to interpret and apply complex sponsor guidelines and institutional policies.  Salary Range $58,000+ depending on qualifications Working Conditions Work is performed in a standard office environment. Repetitive use of keyboard at workstation. Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm. Occasional evening, weekend, or overtime hours may be required. Required Materials R