Research & Development Engineer III – Aerospace

Smartsearchonline; Carson City (NV); On-site; USD 98,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4-Day work week

Employee medical coverage

Tuition assistance

401(k) with company match

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Smartsearchonline is seeking an experienced Research & Development Engineer III – Mechanical / Aerospace in Carson City, NV. You will take concepts through design, prototyping, testing and validation of aerospace products, working hands-on with engineering and manufacturing teams.

You will evaluate mechanical designs, perform analyses, and develop test plans to verify performance and manufacturability. This role emphasizes bringing new aerospace ideas to production within a supportive,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field is required.
• 5+ years of mechanical engineering, R&D or new product development experience.
• Experience taking products from concept through design, prototyping, testing and validation.

Responsibilities

• Develop new aerospace products from concept through design, prototyping, testing and validation.
• Create and evaluate mechanical designs, components and assemblies.
• Perform engineering analysis to evaluate performance, strength and manufacturability.
• Design experiments, build prototypes and develop test plans to evaluate new concepts.
• Analyze test data, troubleshoot performance issues and drive design improvements.
• Evaluate materials, fastening methods, joining technologies and manufacturing processes.
• Develop product requirements, test procedures, engineering reports and technical documentation.
• Support design verification, validation and qualification activities.
• Partner with Manufacturing and Quality to transition new designs into production.
• Research aerospace requirements, specifications and emerging technologies.
• Communicate technical findings and manage multiple development projects.

Skills

Mechanical design

Prototyping

Test planning

DOE

Failure analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

NX

Job description

Job Details

Research & Development Engineer III – Aerospace Carson City,NV Posted:8/25/2026

Job ID#: 86856

Job Category: A&D/Semi

Position Type: Direct

Duration: Full Time

Shift: 1

Positions Available: 3

Research & Development Engineer III - Mechanical / Aerospace

Engineer's what's next in aerospace With a 3-Day Weekend Every Week! What if your next engineering role gave you the opportunity to design, build and test new aerospace products while also giving you every Friday off? This is an opportunity to join an established, family-owned aerospace manufacturer where innovation, stability and quality of life actually go together. You'll work a 4-day work week with Fridays and weekends off, receive 100% employer-paid medical coverage for the employee, and join an organization with approximately 80% employee retention that has never had a company layoff. And you'll do it from Northern Nevada, where there's no individual state income tax and your weekends can mean skiing or hiking around Lake Tahoe roughly 30 minutes away or heading to the Pacific Coast just a few hours down the road. They're looking for an experienced Mechanical Engineer who enjoys taking ideas from concept through design, prototyping, testing and product development. This is not simply a manufacturing or process engineering position. The focus is developing new products and technologies, solving mechanical design challenges, building and testing prototypes, analyzing performance and helping turn new ideas into real aerospace products. If you're ready to do meaningful engineering work while gaining back your Fridays,

This organization develops specialized fastening, bonding and assembly technologies used across aerospace, defense and space. If you enjoy designing, building, testing and turning new ideas into real products, this is an opportunity to stay close to the engineering.

As an R&D Engineer III, you'll take new aerospace products from early concepts through design, prototyping, testing and validation, working hands-on with engineering, manufacturing and technical teams. You'll solve real mechanical engineering challenges and see your designs make their way into actual aerospace applications.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation: $98K - $145,200
• 4-Day Work Week - Fridays + Weekends Off
• 100% Employer-Paid Medical Coverage for the Employee
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off & Holidays
• Tuition Assistance & Professional Development
• Approximately 80% Employee Retention
• Family-Owned, Family-Oriented Culture
• No Individual State Income Tax in Nevada
• Exceptional Stability - No Company Layoffs, Even During COVID
• Career Growth with an Established Aerospace & Defense Manufacturer
• Northern Nevada Location Near Lake Tahoe, Skiing, Hiking & Outdoor Recreation
• Relocation Assistance Provided

What You'll Be Doing:

• Develop new aerospace products from concept through design, prototyping, testing and validation
• Create and evaluate mechanical designs, components and assemblies
• Perform engineering analysis to evaluate performance, strength and manufacturability
• Design experiments, build prototypes and develop test plans to evaluate new concepts
• Analyze test data, troubleshoot performance issues and drive design improvements
• Evaluate materials, fastening methods, joining technologies and manufacturing processes
• Develop product requirements, test procedures, engineering reports and technical documentation
• Support design verification, validation and qualification activities
• Partner with Manufacturing and Quality to transition new designs into production
• Research aerospace requirements, specifications and emerging technologies
• Communicate technical findings and manage multiple development projects

Job Requirements

What We're Looking For:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering field
• 5+ years of mechanical engineering, R&D or new product development experience
• Experience taking physical products from concept through design, prototyping, testing and validation
• Hands-on mechanical design, prototype development and engineering testing experience
• Strong mechanical problem-solving, failure analysis and test-data interpretation skills
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications and technical requirements
• Experience developing test plans, product requirements and technical documentation
• Understanding of design for manufacturability and transitioning new products into production
• Comfortable working hands-on with prototypes, test equipment, technicians and manufacturing teams

Preferred Experience:

• Aerospace or defense product development experience
• Mechanical design of aerospace components, assemblies or structures
• New product development from concept through production
• CAD-based design and mechanical/structural analysis
• Prototype design, fabrication, testing and validation
• Qualification testing, DOE and test-data analysis
• Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA)
• Aerospace fasteners, mechanical joining or adhesive-bonded assemblies
• Composite structures or lightweight aerospace materials
• Failure analysis and root-cause investigation
• Aerospace manufacturing experience

Keyword Search

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