Mechanical Engineering Graduate Research Assistant - Spring 2027 - ATAS

Georgia Tech Research Institute; Smyrna (GA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Georgia Tech Research Institute seeks a Graduate Research Assistant in Mechanical Engineering to contribute to large-scale prototype design and development within ATAS. You will gain hands-on experience with SolidWorks, machining, 3D printing, and mechanical analysis while supporting assembly, testing, and tolerance analysis.

The role requires pursuing a Master’s or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, full-time enrollment, 3.0+ GPA, and 15–20 hours weekly.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Master’s degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech.
• Enrolled full-time (12+ credit hours) with a 3.0+ GPA.
• Commit to 15-20 hours of work per week.
• Experience using SolidWorks and basic fabrication is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Designing, developing, and documenting designs for large-scale prototypes.
• Mechanical design and analysis for DOD applications.
• Machining, 3D-Printing, sheet metal bending, and other fabrication processes.
• Build assemblies and integrate subsystems for testing.
• Perform tolerance analysis and support logistics of prototypes.
• Use SolidWorks and other tools to create parts, drawings, and assemblies.
• Coordinate assembly and testing of large prototype systems.

Skills

Strong math skills

Clear communication of technical ideas

Hands-on fabrication experience

Configuration management tools

Education

Master’s or PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Overview:

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry.GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do:

1. Students are our top priority.
2. We strive for excellence.
3. We thrive on diversity.
4. We celebrate collaboration.
5. We champion innovation.
6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
8. We act ethically.
9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Job Description

GTRI’s Mechanical Engineering group within the Aerospace, Transportation, and Advanced Systems Laboratory (ATAS) seeks a Graduate Research Assistant with interests in mechanical design and development and working on large-scale mechanical prototypes. Students will have the opportunity to gain hands‑on experience in the following areas:

• Designing, developing, and documenting designs for use in DOD applications.
• Mechanical design & analysis
• Machining, 3D-Printing, sheet metal bending, and other manufacturing processes.
• Building assemblies and integrating subsystems.
• Part finishing processes (conversion coating, anodizing, painting, etc.)
• Student will use SolidWorks and other design tools to create parts, assemblies, and drawings.
• Develop hands‑on engineering skills while helping the team coordinate assembly and testing of large prototype systems.
• Tolerance Analysis
• Logistical Support

Required Minimum Qualifications

Graduate Research Assistant

• Pursuing a Master’s degree or PhD at Georgia Tech in Major(s) Mechanical Engineering
• Must be enrolled full‑time (12+ credit hours)
• Must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA
• Commit to 15-20 hours of work per week

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using SolidWorks
• Strong math skills and ability to learn complex engineering concepts
• Some hands‑on/fabrication experience
• Configuration management tools
• Ability to clearly communicate technical ideas and concepts
• Experience building Interferometers or similar OPL measurement devices

Hours per Week

40 hours per week

U.S. Citizenship Requirements

Due to our research contracts with the US federal government, candidates for this position are required to be US Citizens.

Clearance Type Required

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.

Housing and Relocation

Housing and relocation assistance are not available for this position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, and services.

Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. This prohibition applies to faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including affiliates, invitees, and guests. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.