Gait Lab Center Engineer/Biomechanist | Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH

[Kirsten Tulchin-Francis]

Nationwide Children's Hospital (NCH) in Columbus OH is seeking applicants for a Gait Lab Engineer/Biomechanist opportunity in our Honda Center for Gait Analysis and Mobility Enhancement (GAME). Nationwide Children’s is one of America's largest pediatric hospitals, an international leader in research, and is ranked in all 10 specialties on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-26 “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals” list. Our staff, comprised of 1,600 medical professionals and over 16,000 employees, provides state-of-the-art pediatric care for 1.8 million patient visits annually.

Located in the new Livingston Orthopedic and Surgical Center (opened 2024), the GAME Center includes two separate motion capture rooms, the GAIT and the SPINE Labs. Setup with identical equipment, these twin laboratories assure that there is always adequate space to conduct a motion capture evaluation. Each lab consists of synchronous hardware which includes a 15 camera (Valykrie and Vero cameras) Vicon motion analysis system, 4 embedded AMTI force platforms, two FLIR video cameras, and a 16 channel Delsys EMG System. Additional GAME equipment includes a Theia markerless motion capture system, AMTI Instrumented Treadmill, TekScan HR plantar pressure mat, and a Cosmed K5 metabolic system. The GAME Center is part of the Department of Orthopedics and provides collaborative support for functional testing across multiple sub-specialty groups, including Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Complex Care, Sports Medicine, and Rheumatology. In early 2026, an Upper Extremity (UE) Lab will open within the GAME Center, which will focus on functional evaluation of hand and upper limb in individuals with cerebral palsy and brachial plexus, including real-time feedback reachable workspace assessment.

As a member of the GAME team, the successful candidate will support the GAIT, SPINE, and UE Labs.

Job Description

Essential Functions:

• Collects and analyzes biomechanics and functional outcomes and interprets human gait data.
• Designs and implements experiments to evaluate human gait patterns.
• Implements quality assurance program for gait analysis equipment, calibrating and maintaining equipment to ensure accurate data collection.
• Analyzes and interprets gait data to identify abnormalities or deviations from typical patterns.
• Collaborates with physicians and physical therapists to develop treatment plans based on gait analysis results.
• Trains and supervises other staff members on proper use of gait analysis equipment and data interpretation.
• Maintains accurate records of gait analysis results and patient information.

Education Requirement

• Bachelor's Degree in relevant field, required.
• Master’s Degree in Mechanical or Biomedical Engineering, preferred.

Certifications

• Current CPR Certification, required (upon hire).

Skills

• Knowledge of motion analysis data acquisition and processing.
• Excellent problem solving, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills.

Experience

• Experience in an engineering or other biomechanics/movement science field, as well as knowledge of the theories, principles, practices and techniques of biomechanics, required.
• Research experience in a gait and motion lab, preferred.
• Programming in biomechanical modeling, preferred.

For more information or to apply, please visit the direct link for this position at https://nationwidechildrens.wd5.mywo...nist_R-20609-1 or contact Kirsten Tulchin-Francis, PhD at Kirsten.Tulchin-Francis@nationwidechildrens.org.

Kirsten Tulchin-Francis, Ph.D.
Director, Honda Center for Gait Analysis and Mobility Enhancement (GAME)
Director, Orthopedic Research
Nationwide Children's Hospital, Department of Orthopedics
Kirsten.Tulchin-Francis@nationwidechildrens.org
Honda Center for Gait Analysis and Mobility Enhancement