ENGINEER - RESEARCH ENGINEER - Gas Turbine Combustion System Engineer

Southwest Research Institute; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas is looking for a Mechanical Engineer to support design and analysis of propulsion and energy systems. This role involves mechanical design tasks, problem-solving, and collaboration within a team.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering and experience with tools like Solidworks. Responsibilities include testing and supporting technical development of projects. U.S. citizenship is required due to security clearance needs.

Qualifications

• 0–5 years mechanical design experience applying tools like FEA.
• Experience with high pressure and/or extreme temperature process systems.
• Familiarity with industry standards like ASME Pressure Vessel Code.

Responsibilities

• Support design, analysis, and testing of propulsion and energy systems.
• Provide analytical and experimental support to multiple projects.
• Communicate ideas and results to coworkers and clients.

Skills

Mechanical design experience

Use of FEA tools

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Solidworks

ANSYS Workbench

Job description

Who We Are:

The Propulsion & Energy Machinery Section performs engineering R&D in the fields of industrial heat and power, liquid propulsion, gas turbine combustion, and air-breathing propulsion. Our technologies are powering a cleaner future and advancing state‑of‑the‑art propulsion for air and space flight.

Objectives of this Role:

• Support the design, analysis, and testing of systems and components used in a variety of propulsion and energy processes.
• Typical application areas include: supercritical CO₂ oxy‑fuel combustion systems, gas turbine combustion systems, solid‑fuel combustion systems, RDEs, and various high‑speed propulsion applications.
• Apply principles of machine design, piping/pressure vessel design, process controls and instrumentation, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer to develop test systems and specify components.
• Many systems operate at extreme pressure and temperature conditions.
• Apply knowledge of fabrication methods, assembly, and geometric dimensioning & tolerance (GD&T) to ensure components are designed in a way that can be manufactured and assembled.
• Utilize CAD software (Solidworks) to develop mechanical designs and visualize component fitments and assemblies.
• Communicate ideas, results, and other information to coworkers as well as commercial and government clients.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Provide analytical and experimental support to more than one project in a team environment.
• Typical tasks include literature reviews, design, analysis, and simulation development.
• Use commercial engineering software for design and analysis, such as ANSYS Workbench or ANSYS APDL.
• Provide mechanical and machine design support for a variety of applications that include power generation, propulsion, and combustion.
• As needed, work across the Institute to draw on the experience from thousands of engineers and technicians.
• Contribute and be responsible for technical development of experimental test programs, including developing/operating a new test rig.
• Take responsibility for testing/rig modifications to meet new project objectives.
• Support the technical work of other engineers and technicians.
• Assess the best approach to solve problems and interrogate results for reliability.
• Provide troubleshooting support for tests and simulations with a firm understanding of theories and concepts using a first‑principles approach.
• Perform mechanical design tasks at the technical direction of senior engineers in support of projects/proposal efforts.
• Be a problem solver that exercises creativity and judgment to help a team of engineers determine new approaches to solve a wide range of technical problems.

Requirements:

• Requires a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering degree.
• 0–5 years: Mechanical design experience applying tools like FEA to predict component/assembly stresses and evaluate fitness for service.
• 0–5 years: Design, commissioning, and testing experience with high pressure and/or extreme temperature (cryogenic or combustion) process systems.
• 0–5 years: Experience with industry standards, such as ASME Pressure Vessel Code, ASME B31 Piping Codes, machine assembly, maintenance, and repair.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.

Special Requirements:

Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.

An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and veteran status.