ENGINEER - RESEARCH ENGINEER - Mechanical Engineer

Southwest Research Institute; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Research Institute seeks an engineer to support mechanical design for aerospace hardware. You will develop 3D models, detailed drawings, and assemblies from concept through release using SolidWorks, while addressing design requirements for packaging, cooling, and integration.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Mechanical/Aerospace/Structural/Mechatronics Engineering, SolidWorks expertise, and 1–5 years in a design-focused team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Structural, or Mechatronics Engineering.
• SolidWorks proficiency for 3D modeling, assemblies, and drawings.
• 1–5 years in an engineering team delivering high-quality design work.
• Working knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and stress analysis.
• Ability to communicate technical issues clearly in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Create, update, and maintain SolidWorks models, assemblies, and drawings for mechanical parts and packaging.
• Support design reviews by preparing data, verifying dimensions, and addressing comments.
• Perform basic stress, thermal, tolerance, and packaging assessments to verify designs.
• Coordinate with electrical, systems, manufacturing, and program staff on layout, routing, cooling, assembly, and installation needs.
• Support prototype build, inspection, troubleshooting, and test activities.

Skills

SolidWorks

3D Modeling

Mechanical Design

Thermodynamics

Heat Transfer

Stress Analysis

Team Collaboration

Multidisciplinary

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Aerospace Engineering

Mechatronics Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

FEA/CFD

Job description

Who We Are

The Mechanical Systems Section within the Strategic Aerospace Department provides specialized electromechanical engineering support for U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command and Department of Defense programs. As a multidisciplinary team of dedicated engineers, we take pride in supporting the warfighter. Our expertise spans the design, development, and sustainment of hardware and software systems, delivering innovative solutions for the aerospace community, including aircraft and ground support equipment, from microcircuits to complex major subsystems.

Objectives of this Role

Support aerospace mechanical design efforts by developing 3D models, detailed drawings, and mechanical assemblies from concept through release using SolidWorks.

Design simple to complex mechanical parts, housings, brackets, fixtures, and electronic packaging assemblies that meet program, manufacturing, and integration requirements.

Apply sound engineering principles in mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and materials to support reliable mechanical designs for aerospace applications.

Perform basic stress, thermal, fit, form, and function assessments and interpret analysis results to identify design risks, margins, and improvement opportunities.

Support multidisciplinary engineering teams by translating electrical, thermal, structural, and packaging requirements into practical mechanical design solutions.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities

Create, update, and maintain SolidWorks 3D models, assemblies, and engineering drawings for mechanical parts, electronic packaging, and aerospace hardware.

Support design reviews by preparing technical data, reviewing drawing packages, checking dimensions, and resolving mechanical design comments.

Perform basic stress, thermal, tolerance, and packaging assessments to verify that mechanical designs meet performance and integration requirements.

Coordinate with electrical, systems, manufacturing, and program staff to ensure mechanical designs support hardware layout, cable routing, cooling, assembly, and installation needs.

Support prototype build, inspection, troubleshooting, and test activities by resolving mechanical fit, fabrication, assembly, and documentation issues.

Requirements

• Requires a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering, or Mechatronics Engineering.
• Solidworks certification, FEA/CFD certifications and/or trainings preferred.
• 1-5 years: Working in an engineering team environment with proven experience in delivering high quality design in support of programs.
• 1-5 years: Proficient with SolidWorks for 3D modeling, mechanical assemblies, detailed drawings, configurations, and design documentation.
• 1-5 years: Working knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer, mechanics of materials, stress analysis, tolerance analysis, and interpretation of engineering data.
• 1-5 years: Ability to communicate technical issues clearly, work in a multidisciplinary team, and support aerospace hardware design, fabrication, integration, and testing.
• 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.

Job Locations

San Antonio, Texas Or Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

For more information about this division, visit the Defense & Intelligence Solutions home page.

For benefits information at our San Antonio location, click here.

For benefits information at all other locations, click here.

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