DoD Mechanical Engineer: Prototyping & R&D

Texas Research Institute Austin, Inc.; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

TRI Austin, Inc. is seeking a hands-on Mid-Level Mechanical Engineer to join our R&D team in Austin, TX.

You will contribute to mechanical design, prototype fabrication, testing, and technical capture activities for defense projects, including customer discovery and proposal writing. You will work on composite structures, learn to integrate subsystems, and mentor junior staff while maintaining rigorous documentation and pursuing government opportunities.

Qualifications

• Requires a B.S./M.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• Hands-on experience (3–7 years) developing/testing hardware for defense/aerospace.
• Experience with DoD capture efforts or government proposals is a plus.
• Ability to obtain/maintain U.S. Government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to all phases of mechanical design from concept to prototype with 3D CAD, drawings, BOMs, and reviews.
• Fabricate, assemble and test prototypes in lab and field; write test procedures and analyze data.
• Perform engineering analyses using FEA/CFD to support design decisions.
• Engage in composite work: layups, curing, NDE, thermomechanical testing; translate materials behavior to robust designs.
• Support capture efforts with technical approaches, scopes of work, and cost/schedule inputs.
• Integrate mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems; coordinate with vendors and collaborators.
• Mentor junior engineers/technicians and maintain engineering documentation.

Skills

3D CAD

FEA/CFD

Technical writing

Education

B.S./M.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

3D CAD software

FEA/CFD tools

Job description

Description

Description

TRI Austin seeks a hands-on Mid-Level Mechanical Engineer to join our multidisciplinary R&D team. This role combines mechanical design and analysis, prototype fabrication and testing, and contributions to technical capture activities, including customer discovery, solution development, and proposal writing. The position is tailored for engineers who have worked on DoD or military programs, have practical materials experience, and are eager to contribute to winning and executing government research projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to all phases of mechanical design from concept to prototype, including 3D CAD, detailed drawings, BOMs, and manufacturability reviews. Rapidly iterate designs to support fabrication and field testing.
• Fabricate, assemble, and test prototypes in the lab and at field sites; write and execute test procedures, analyze test data, and document results in technical reports and presentations.
• Perform engineering analyses using FEA or other tools to support design decisions and risk reduction.
• Engage in hands-on composite work: fabricate, repair, and test fiber-reinforced systems (layups, curing, NDE, thermomechanical testing) and translate materials behavior into robust designs.
• Support proposal and capture efforts by developing technical approaches, preparing scopes of work, writing technical sections, and providing inputs for cost and schedule estimates.
• Integrate mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems where applicable; coordinate with vendors, subcontractors, test resources, and external collaborators under the guidance of senior staff.
• Assist in mentoring junior engineers/technicians and maintain rigorous engineering documentation (lab notebooks, drawings, test logs).

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience (typically 3-7 years) developing and testing mechanical hardware for defense, aerospace, maritime, or other demanding applications. Experience with composite structures or other advanced materials is strongly preferred.
• Experience contributing to technical proposals, white papers, statements of work, or research plans for customer-funded technical approaches. Experience contributing to SBIR/STTR, BAA, IRAD or other DoD capture efforts is a plus.
• Experience supporting DoD, US Navy, or other military programs (program execution or customer interactions).
• Proficiency in a 3D CAD system and common engineering analysis and simulation tools (FEA, CFD, etc.).
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills; ability to present technical information clearly to stakeholders.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with defense platform or mission areas, such as weapon and launcher systems, missiles or rocket motors, naval shipboard equipment, unmanned maritime systems, aircraft hardware, or platform sustainment.
• Familiarity with relevant manufacturing methods such as machining, welding, composite processing, additive manufacturing, sheet-metal fabrication, castings, and coatings.
• Experience taking hardware through requirements development, design reviews, environmental qualification, integration, and field demonstration.
• Experience designing, fabricating, testing, or repairing fiber-reinforced composite structures.
• Experience contributing to project planning, including tracking tasks against budgets and schedules.

What We Offer

• Mission-driven R&D supporting the Warfighter and government customers in a collaborative small-business environment.
• Opportunity to work across a broad portfolio (materials, ocean/vehicle systems, instruments, and advanced components) and to grow your skills in both technical execution and business development.
• Competitive salary (DOE) and benefits, with hands-on R&D work in Austin, TX.

The ability to obtain a US DoD security clearance is mandatory. For more information, please see the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) website.

https://www.dss.mil/ma/tw/dvd/vroc/faqs/

TRI Austin, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.