Research Mentor (Electronics & Robotics)

Company Description Future Forward Labs is a STEM research mentorship academy dedicated to empowering high school students to conduct professional-grade scientific research. The organization bridges the gap between school curriculum and real-world science by pairing scholars with mentors who are experienced PhD-level researchers in their disciplines. Students develop original research projects suited for elite competitions such as ISEF, Regeneron STS, and Thermo Fisher JIC, as well as for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation at global conferences. Future Forward Labs focuses exclusively on STEM fields, including AI, medicine, engineering, and the physical and life sciences. The institute is headquartered in Seattle and collaborates with mentors across the United States.Role Description The Research Mentor, Electronics & Intelligent Systems is a part-time, paid role based in Redmond, WA. The mentor will guide high school students through the full research lifecycle, including topic selection, literature review, hypothesis development, experimental or computational design, data collection and analysis, and preparation of final papers and presentations. Responsibilities include holding regular one-on-one and small-group research meetings, providing structured feedback on written work and data, and teaching students to use relevant tools, methods, and ethical research practices in areas such as embedded systems, sensors and instrumentation, signal processing, wireless and IoT, and machine learning on edge hardware.The mentor will help students simplify ambitious ideas into projects that can be executed within real time, resource, and access constraints, and will stay reachable between scheduled sessions through a messaging channel, since most “now what” moments happen when a student is working alone. The mentor will help students prepare submissions for competitions, conferences, and journals, coordinate with program staff to align student progress with institutional timelines and standards, and maintain clear documentation of student work. The mentor guides and never ghostwrites: students own the question, the data, and the paper, and must be able to defend every decision on their own in a judge interview.Commitment: approximately 6 to 10 hours per week, aligned with the academic year and competition season.QualificationsCompleted PhD in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a closely related field. Current PhD students and ABD candidates are not eligible.Demonstrated experience conducting original research, including experimental or computational design, data analysis, and scientific writing suitable for conferences or peer-reviewed journals.Background in mentoring, teaching, or supervising students, with the ability to explain complex concepts clearly to a high school audience without losing rigor, and to adapt guidance to varied learning styles.Current knowledge of modern tools and platforms, such as Python, MATLAB, KiCad, Arduino, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, and contemporary machine learning frameworks, and willingness to help students learn them.Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to provide constructive feedback on research papers, presentations, and competition materials.Strong organizational and time-management skills to oversee multiple student projects, meet program deadlines, and maintain accurate records of research progress.Responsiveness and availability both in scheduled meetings and through an informal communication channel between sessions.Commitment to inclusive, non-discriminatory educational practices and to fostering a supportive environment for students from diverse backgrounds.Ability to work collaboratively with other mentors and staff remotely, and to align with the mission and standards of Future Forward Labs.PreferredFamiliarity with ISEF, Regeneron STS, Thermo Fisher JIC, or similar competitions.Experience guiding interdisciplinary work, such as electronics combined with biology, environment, or health.Compensation: Hourly with Bonuses