R&D Hardware Mechanical Engineering Scientist

The University of Texas at Austin; 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

A public research university is looking for an R&D Hardware Mechanical Engineering Scientist in Austin. The successful candidate will contribute to underwater acoustic system research and development, manage junior staff, and engage in field testing. Applicants should possess a bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Ocean Engineering and have at least three years of experience in related fields. Competitive salary range is from $104,000 to $174,000 annually, depending on qualifications.

Qualifications

• 3 years of related work experience required.
• Experience creating detailed engineering drawings as per industry standards.
• Ability to manage and mentor junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Design support for underwater acoustic systems and sensors.
• Deploy and recover subsea systems in the field.
• Assist with hardware procurement and shop organization.

Skills

Advanced proficiency with CAD software (e.g., Creo, Solidworks)

Programming for engineering computation (e.g., MATLAB)

Field-testing experience with mechanical hardware

Attention to detail

Leadership skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Ocean Engineering

Advanced degree in Mechanical or Ocean Engineering

Tools

ANSYS

COMSOL

Job description

R&D Hardware Mechanical Engineering Scientist

Applied Research Laboratories – Pickle Research Campus

Position Details:

• Hiring Department: Applied Research Laboratories
• Position Open to: All Applicants
• Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Earliest Start Date: Immediately
• Position Duration: Expected to Continue
• Location: PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

Job Details

Purpose: Contribute to research and development tasks and experimental sea‑tests within the Environmental Sciences Laboratory’s (ESL) at Applied Research Laboratories (ARL).

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/recover subsea systems in the field from offshore vessel/work boats and troubleshoot and repair equipment as necessary.
• Assist with hardware procurement.
• Assist with fabrication facilities management, warehouse and shop organization, and coordinate 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 CAD software (e.g., Creo, Solidworks) and 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.

Applicant must be highly organized, have excellent attention to detail, and possess sound scientific judgment. The position requires effective management of one’s own time with the ability to plan, coordinate, and execute multiple tasks simultaneously. Ability to work independently with sensitive and confidential information, maintain a professional demeanor, and effectively communicate with all groups of clients. Regular and punctual attendance in the workplace is required.

US Citizen. Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information at the level appropriate to the project requirements of the position.

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.

General Notes

An agency designated by the federal government handles the investigation as to the requirement for eligibility for access to classified information. Factors considered during this investigation include but are not limited to allegiance to the United States, foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations, drug involvement, the likelihood of continuation of such conduct, etc.

Please mark "yes" on the application question that asks if additional materials are required. Failure to attach all additional materials listed below may result in a delay in application processing.

Visit our website (www.arlut.utexas.edu) for additional information about Applied Research Laboratories.

Benefits

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

Other benefits: Competitive benefits package including employer‑paid medical coverage, retirement contributions, paid vacation, sick time, and 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/international travel.
• Use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
• Will work outdoors, indoors and over water.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest
• Unofficial college transcripts

Application Instructions

Applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi‑select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log‑in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University‑Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) 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 a 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. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E‑Verify

The University of Texas at Austin uses E‑Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E‑Verify is 854197. For more information about E‑Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and related campus safety responsibilities. Detailed procedures are available through university resources.

Security and Fire Safety

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.