Klein is a recipient of the notable William T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence, as well as the Gold Chalk Award for Excellence in Graduate Education and the Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award from the Society of Automotive Engineers. Klein has specialized in the development of decision-making tools and modeling, as well as algorithmic development for manufacturing and service systems. Among the industrial and government institutions that have funded Klein’s research are the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, McDonnell Douglas, Ameren Missouri, Union Electric and the Missouri Department of Transportation.