R&D Hardware Mechanical Engineering Scientist

Phase2 Technology; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 104,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% employer-paid basic medical coverage

Retirement contributions

Paid vacation and sick time

Paid holidays

Job summary

Phase2 Technology is seeking a R&D Hardware Mechanical Engineering Scientist in Austin, Texas. The role involves designing underwater acoustic systems, mentoring junior staff, and managing field deployments. Required qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Ocean Engineering, three years of experience, and advanced proficiency in CAD and FEA software. Benefits include employer-paid medical coverage and retirement contributions. The salary range is negotiable between $104,000 and $174,000 based on qualifications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Ocean Engineering.
• Three years of related work experience.
• Advanced proficiency with CAD and FEA software.
• Experience creating detailed engineering drawings.
• Field-testing experience with mechanical hardware.

Responsibilities

• Design support for underwater acoustic systems and sensors.
• Manage and mentor junior staff.
• Deploy and recover subsea systems.
• Assist with hardware procurement and fabrication.

Skills

Computer Aided Design (CAD)

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Programming using MATLAB

Troubleshooting mechanical hardware

Interpersonal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Ocean Engineering

Advanced degree in Mechanical or Ocean Engineering

Job description

R&D Hardware Mechanical Engineering Scientist

Position within Applied Research Laboratories (ARL), Environmental Sciences Laboratory (ESL) – research and development tasks and experimental sea‑tests.

Responsibilities

• Design support of new and existing underwater acoustic systems and sensors, including scheduling, execution, calibration, characterization, testing, and data analysis.
• Manage, mentor, and develop junior staff.
• Deploy and recover subsea systems in the field from offshore vessels or work boats, troubleshoot and repair equipment as necessary.
• Assist with hardware procurement.
• Assist with fabrication facilities management, warehouse and shop organization, coordination of maintenance and inventory of shop tools.
• Other related functions as required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Ocean Engineering.
• Three years of related work experience.
• Advanced proficiency with Computer Aided Design (CAD) software (e.g., Creo, Solidworks) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software packages (e.g., ANSYS, COMSOL) for design and structural/modal analysis of components.
• Demonstrated experience creating detailed engineering drawings in accordance with industry standards (e.g., ASME Y14.5).
• Proven experience with programming for engineering computation, data analysis, or modeling using software such as MATLAB.
• Practical field‑testing experience with mechanical hardware, including troubleshooting and validation in operational environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Mechanical or Ocean Engineering.
• Six years of experience focused on the design and construction of prototype hardware in commercial or research settings, with significant emphasis on sensor integration, structural integrity, materials selection, and system performance.
• Direct experience working on a vessel for the successful deployment and recovery of oceanographic equipment.
• Working knowledge of underwater acoustics, including propagation physics, noise sources, modeling and simulation, the SONAR equation, underwater transducers, and acoustic measurement techniques.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of common manufacturing and fabrication processes and how they influence design decisions.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 with 3.2 in core engineering courses.

Benefits

• 100% employer‑paid basic medical coverage.
• Retirement contributions.
• Paid vacation and sick time.
• Paid holidays.

Salary Range

$104,000–$174,000+ (negotiable depending on qualifications)

Working Conditions

• Standard office conditions.
• Periodic offshore work on ships.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• Use of manual dexterity.
• Some weekend, evening and holiday work.
• Intrastate, interstate, and international travel.
• Use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
• Will work outdoors, indoors and over water.

Background Check

A criminal history background check will be required for finalists under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or, in any other manner, discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I‑9 form and present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.