ENGINEER - RESEARCH ENGINEER - Mechanical Engineer

Southwest Research Institute; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, TX seeks an Engineer - Research Engineer (Mechanical Engineer) to join the Mechanical Systems Section. You will create SolidWorks models, drawings, and assemblies for aerospace hardware from concept through release, collaborating with electrical, systems, and manufacturing teams.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Mechanical/Aerospace/Structural/Mechatronics Engineering, SolidWorks proficiency, and 1–5 years of design experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering, or Mechatronics Engineering.
• SolidWorks proficiency and related certification; FEA/CFD certifications preferred.
• 1–5 years of engineering team experience delivering high-quality designs for programs.
• Able to communicate technical issues clearly within a multidisciplinary team and support aerospace hardware design, fabrication, integration, and testing.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.

Responsibilities

• Create, update, and maintain SolidWorks 3D models, assemblies, and 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 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.

Skills

Mechanical design experience

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Structural Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

FEA/CFD certifications

Job description

ENGINEER - RESEARCH ENGINEER - Mechanical Engineer

16-01543

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.

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.