Engineer I, Mechanical Design & Prototype Engineer - Missouri Institute for Defense & Energy

University of Missouri-Kansas City; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 68,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Retirement contributions

Paid time off

Disability insurance

Educational fee discounts

Job summary

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) invites applications for a Mechanical Design & Prototype Engineer within the Missouri Institute for Defense & Energy (MIDE) in the Office of Strategic Innovations (OSIN). You will design parts and assemblies, create drawings, and drive rapid prototyping using CAD and 3-D printing to advance defense, energy, and health initiatives.

Responsibilities include collaborating with fabrication teams, meeting milestones, generating reports, and maintaining an

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree or equivalent knowledge and skills are required.
• Possess or have possessed a U.S. Security Clearance.
• Certified SolidWorks Associate certification is strongly preferred.
• B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering is preferred.
• Academic research and/or industry experience is beneficial.
• At least one year of defense/government experience helps.
• Experience with 3-D printers (FDM, SLA, SLS) is valued.
• Experience in academic research in higher education and STEM is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design prototypes and parts using CAD (SolidWorks) and manage drawings.
• Collaborate with fabrication and machine shop personnel for prototyping.
• Support fabrication milestones and deliverables for funded programs.
• Generate reports and document findings for ongoing work.
• Assist in lab organization and upkeep to support the team.

Skills

Mechanical design

Prototype fabrication

Documentation

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

3D printing

COTS hardware selection

Job description

Job Details

Job ID: 61608

Location: Kansas City

Work: Full-Time

Hiring Department

Missouri Institute for Defense & Energy (MIDE) in the Office of Strategic Innovations (OSIN) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC).

Job Description

The Missouri Institute for Defense and Energy (MIDE) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, is a fast-growing research institute founded to solve real-world problems by synthesizing physics and engineering principals with a pragmatic, results-driven, and collaborative philosophy. Whether it's restoring health and wellness in the urban food-desert or developing state-of-the-art anti-drone technologies to protect our cities or troops, we're on it.

The team is growing and we have an outstanding opportunity for an Mechanical Design & Prototype Engineer to join our team. You would work with us in solving wicked challenges in defense, energy, and health by transitioning fundamental solutions requires a team of highly specialized, knowledgeable, and passionate individuals who seek answers to hard questions in a collaborative environment with world-class research organizations from coast-to-coast.

Job Description Duties:

• Design prototypes, parts, assemblies, using CAD, i.e., SolidWorks program which includes the parts, assemblies, drawings, file organization, COTS hardware selection and procurement, and other task pertaining to the rapid prototype manufacturing process.
• Collaborate with and support fabrication and machine shop personnel to ensure 3-D printed products are produced and post-processed and machined parts are generated as desired.
• Support the needs of the fabrication process to ensure outputs milestones and deliverables are met in support of the program mission.
• Generate reports and document findings in support of the ongoing funded work.
• Assist in laboratory organization and upkeep to support the sustainment and growth of the team's lab.

This position is 100% grant/externally funded and contingent on continued funding.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary
• Possess or have possessed a U.S. Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

Strongly preferred qualifications:

• Certified SolidWorks Associate certificate
• B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering
• Academic research and/or industry experience (> 0 years) from which comparable knowledge and skills can be leveraged.

Preferred Qualification:

• At least one year of experience in government, defense, and or military where comparable knowledge and skillsets can be employed.
• Ability to work with, knowledge of, and experience working with 3-D printers (FDM, SLA, SLS).
• Prior experience working with academic research in higher education and STEM.

Anticipated Hiring Range

The anticipated hiring range for this position has been established as $67,600 to $71,760 annually.

Salary is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the individual's particular combination of education, skills, and experience, as well as organizational requirements.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Grade: GGS 10
University Title: Engineer I
To review the University of Missouri's Staff Compensation Structure you can view the Job Code detail page. Internal applicants can determine their university title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application Deadline

Review of applications to begin immediately. For best consideration, please submit application by November 9, 2026.

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Community Information

Kansas City offers the best of both worlds-a vibrant, urban community with Midwestern appeal. The city's rich history and its modern-day, innovative thinking come together to create an eclectic group of neighborhoods that offer a little something for everyone. From thriving arts districts, an energetic downtown nightlife, casual to upscale shopping and champion sports teams, you will have no problem making yourself at home. Of course, one of Kansas City's biggest claims to fame is its food, especially its world-famous barbecue. Foodies will delight in the culinary scene found throughout the city. Ranging from award-winning chefs to cozy pizza joints, Kansas City definitely is not lacking any flavor.

UMKC's campuses are conveniently nestled in the middle of all the action. Volker Campus is just minutes from the legendary Country Club Plaza, perfect for shopping or restaurants for lunch or after-work happy hours. Surrounded by hip neighborhoods and eateries, the Health Sciences Campus is located downtown near University Health Truman Medical Center and Children's Mercy Hospital.

UMKC is proud to be "Kansas City's university," and the campus and its people celebrate all the characteristics of the surrounding community. To learn more about life in Kansas City and find more resources, visit VisitKC.com.

Benefit Eligibility

• including medical
• dental and vision plans
• retirement
• paid time off
• short- and long-term disability
• paid parental leave
• paid caregiver leave
• educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.