LEAD ENGINEER - SR. RESEARCH ENGINEER - Robotics and Mechanical Engineering

Southwest Research Institute; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Research Institute seeks a Lead Engineer - Sr. Research Engineer for Robotics and Mechanical Engineering. The role focuses on leading hardware/software development for robotic and automated systems, with client-facing responsibilities and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Applicants should have 10–15 years of experience in mechanical engineering with leadership, strong SolidWorks expertise, and proficiency in C++/Python and ROS/ROS2. U.S.

Qualifications

• Requires advanced robotics/automation expertise and strong leadership.
• Experience leading mechanical/electromechanical projects in industry.
• Proficiency in ROS/ROS2 and high-level programming (C++, Python).

Responsibilities

• Develop hardware and software solutions for robotic systems and lead project teams.
• Create technical requirements for new robotics projects.
• Design, build, integrate hardware, debug, and implement at client sites.

Skills

Robotics

Mechatronics

Mechanical Eng

Electrical Eng

C++

Python

ROS/ROS2

SolidWorks

Leadership

Project management

Education

Bachelor's, Master's or PhD in Robotics/Mechatronics/Mechanical/Electrical Eng

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

LEAD ENGINEER - SR. RESEARCH ENGINEER - Robotics and Mechanical Engineering

10-01556

Who We Are:

The Robotics Department develops industrial robotic, automated, and autonomous solutions for government and commercial clients across a wide range of industries.

Objectives of this Role:

• Contribute to building advanced capabilities, technologies, and solutions in the field of industrial robotics and automation that solve real-world challenges faced by our customers.
• Support novel development of optimization-based path planning, perception systems, surface reconstruction, hardware integration, and testing on industrial robots, mobile manipulators, and custom automation hardware.
• Contribute expertise to technical proposals for novel robotics and automation capabilities.
• Serve as a technical or project lead for mechanical, electromechanical, controls, and autonomy for robotic platforms.
• Ideate novel solutions and mentor junior robotics staff.
• Establish a substantial and consistent record of successful proposals and/or extensive business development.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Develop novel hardware and software solutions for robotic and automated systems and provide technical leadership to project teams.
• Develop technical requirements for new projects.
• Development tasks include: design, build, hardware integration, debug, and implementation at client facilities.
• Communicate effectively with internal team, external clients, and industry partners.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop technical solutions, and coordinate technical tasks with project managers and other engineering staff.
• Coordinate individual performance goals and objectives set by the organization as well as provide leadership to project teams to help realize organizational objectives.

Requirements:

• Requires a Bachelors, Masters or a PhD in Robotics, Mechatronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or other robotics-related engineering degree.
• 10-15 years: Relevant industry experience with mechanical engineering and design including technical team or project leadership at an organization such as a manufacturer, robotics company, robotics integrator, etc.
• 4+ years: Solid modeling (Solidworks or similar) and high-level programming software skills (C++ or Python required).
• Robot Operating System (ROS, ROS2) experience.
• 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.