Marine Autonomy Mechanical Systems Engineer

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Suffolk (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech's Center for Marine Autonomy and Robotics is seeking a Research Associate – Mechanical Systems to lead design, fabrication, integration, testing, and deployment of advanced marine robotic platforms. You will contribute to autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) while working with interdisciplinary teams and sponsors.

The role requires mechanical/electromechanical design expertise, hands‑on fabrication skills, and the ability to deploy systems in

Qualifications

• Master’s in Mechanical or Ocean Engineering or a bachelor’s with 5+ years of related experience.
• Experience designing mechanical/electromechanical subsystems for autonomous vehicles.
• Proficiency with CAD (SolidWorks preferred) and FEA.
• Experience manufacturing parts via CNC, sheet metal, composites, and 3D printing.
• Ability to create and maintain engineering drawings, BOMs, and wiring diagrams.
• Troubleshoot complex hardware, software, and system integration issues.
• Strong hands-on tool usage and collaborative teamwork.
• Must be able to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, fabrication, integration, testing, and deployment of marine robotic platforms.
• Contribute to autonomous underwater/ surface vehicle development and research.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams including faculty, staff, students, and sponsors.
• Prepare technical documentation and support field deployments.

Education

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree in Ocean Engineering

Bachelor’s degree +5 years experience

Subsystem design (mechanical/electromechanical)

CAD design tools (SolidWorks)

FEA for mechanical design

Machining and fabrication (CNC, sheet metal, composites, 3D printing)

Documentation: drawings, wiring diagrams, BOMs

Troubleshooting hardware, software, integration

Hands-on use of hand and power tools

Team collaboration in multidisciplinary groups

Security clearance eligibility

Tools

SolidWorks

FEA tools

CNC machining

Sheet metal bending

Composites fabrication

3D printing

Job description

Virginia Tech's Center for Marine Autonomy and Robotics is seeking a Research Associate – Mechanical Systems to lead design, fabrication, integration, testing, and deployment of advanced marine robotic platforms. You will contribute to autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) while working with interdisciplinary teams and sponsors.

The role requires mechanical/electromechanical design expertise, hands‑on fabrication skills, and the ability to deploy systems in