Mechanical Engineer II

Texas Research International; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mission-driven R&D

Competitive compensation

On-site in Austin

Job summary

TRI Austin, Inc. seeks a hands-on Mid-Level Mechanical Engineer to join our multidisciplinary R&D team.

You will design, analyze, prototype, and test mechanical hardware for defense and government projects, with emphasis on DoD programs, composites, and advanced materials. You will contribute to proposals, write technical sections, and work with 3D CAD, FEA/CFD, and cross‑disciplinary teams while mentoring junior staff.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field.
• 3–7 years hands-on experience developing and testing mechanical hardware for defense/aerospace.
• Experience with DoD capture efforts or proposal writing is a plus.
• Experience supporting DoD or military programs and ability to obtain security clearance.
• Proficiency in a 3D CAD system and common engineering analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to all phases of mechanical design from concept to prototype, including 3D CAD, drawings, BOMs, and manufacturability reviews.
• Fabricate, assemble, and test prototypes; write test procedures, analyze data, and document results.
• Perform engineering analyses using FEA/CFD to support decisions and risk reduction.
• Hands-on composite work: fabricate, repair, test fiber-reinforced structures and translate materials behavior into robust designs.
• Support proposals by developing technical approaches, scopes of work, and inputs for cost/schedule estimates.
• Coordinate with vendors and subcontractors; mentor junior engineers and maintain rigorous documentation.

Skills

3D CAD

FEA/CFD tools

Technical writing

Security clearance eligible

Team collaboration

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

3D CAD software

Job description

Full-time Description

TRI Austin seeks a hands-on Mid-Level Mechanical Engineer to join our multidisciplinary R&D team. This role combines mechanical design and analysis, prototype fabrication and testing, and contributions to technical capture activities, including customer discovery, solution development, and proposal writing. The position is tailored for engineers who have worked on DoD or military programs, have practical materials experience, and are eager to contribute to winning and executing government research projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to all phases of mechanical design from concept to prototype, including 3D CAD, detailed drawings, BOMs, and manufacturability reviews. Rapidly iterate designs to support fabrication and field testing.
• Fabricate, assemble, and test prototypes in the lab and at field sites; write and execute test procedures, analyze test data, and document results in technical reports and presentations.
• Perform engineering analyses using FEA or other tools to support design decisions and risk reduction.
• Engage in hands-on composite work: fabricate, repair, and test fiber-reinforced systems (layups, curing, NDE, thermomechanical testing) and translate materials behavior into robust designs.
• Support proposal and capture efforts by developing technical approaches, preparing scopes of work, writing technical sections, and providing inputs for cost and schedule estimates.
• Integrate mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems where applicable; coordinate with vendors, subcontractors, test resources, and external collaborators under the guidance of senior staff.
• Assist in mentoring junior engineers/technicians and maintain rigorous engineering documentation (lab notebooks, drawings, test logs).

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience (typically 3-7 years) developing and testing mechanical hardware for defense, aerospace, maritime, or other demanding applications. Experience with composite structures or other advanced materials is strongly preferred.
• Experience contributing to technical proposals, white papers, statements of work, or research plans for customer-funded technical approaches. Experience contributing to SBIR/STTR, BAA, IRAD or other DoD capture efforts is a plus.
• Experience supporting DoD, US Navy, or other military programs (program execution or customer interactions).
• Proficiency in a 3D CAD system and common engineering analysis and simulation tools (FEA, CFD, etc.).
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills; ability to present technical information clearly to stakeholders.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with defense platform or mission areas, such as weapon and launcher systems, missiles or rocket motors, naval shipboard equipment, unmanned maritime systems, aircraft hardware, or platform sustainment.
• Familiarity with relevant manufacturing methods such as machining, welding, composite processing, additive manufacturing, sheet-metal fabrication, castings, and coatings.
• Experience taking hardware through requirements development, design reviews, environmental qualification, integration, and field demonstration.
• Experience designing, fabricating, testing, or repairing fiber-reinforced composite structures.
• Experience contributing to project planning, including tracking tasks against budgets and schedules.

What We Offer

• Mission-driven R&D supporting the Warfighter and government customers in a collaborative small-business environment.
• Opportunity to work across a broad portfolio (materials, ocean/vehicle systems, instruments, and advanced components) and to grow your skills in both technical execution and business development.
• Competitive salary (DOE) and benefits, with hands-on R&D work in Austin, TX.

The ability to obtain a US DoD security clearance is mandatory. For more information, please see the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) website.

https://www.dss.mil/ma/tw/dvd/vroc/faqs/

TRI Austin, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.

Salary Description $80,000 - $120,000