RESEARCH ENGINEER - Experimental/Computational Mechanics

Southwest Research Institute; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Research Institute, in San Antonio, Texas, seeks a Research Engineer focused on Experimental and Computational Mechanics to advance material models under extreme conditions. The role combines lab testing with high-fidelity simulations and requires strong communication and collaboration with clients.

Applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant field and have experience with impact testing, high strain-rate analysis, and laser diagnostics.

Qualifications

• PhD required in Mechanical, Materials, Nuclear, Aerospace or Civil Eng.
• 0–3 years: experience with codes for impact or fluids or radiation.
• Experience with testing materials using universal testing machines.
• Experience with lasers or radiation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Test materials with MTS, Hopkinson Bar, Plate Impact, ballistic impact and diagnostics.
• Develop algorithms in MATLAB, Python, FORTRAN for data analysis of high strain-rate/ballistic data.
• Run computer simulations of materials under shock and high strain rates and fluid flow.
• Use lasers for Doppler velocimetry and related measurements.
• Prepare technical reports and present results to clients; contribute to journal submissions.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Business skills

Education

PhD in Mechanical Engineering

PhD in Materials Engineering

PhD in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

FORTRAN

Job description

RESEARCH ENGINEER - Experimental/Computational Mechanics

18-01645

Who We Are:

The Computational Mechanics Section does modeling and testing of materials under extreme conditions (elevated temperatures, high pressures, large strains, high strain-rates) as well as conventional and hypersonics computer fluid dynamics and testing that are used to support research and development efforts in defense, aerospace, and hypersonics applications.

Objectives of this Role:

• Support research and testing projects that include material tests, ballistic tests, energetic and explosive materials, high speed video analysis, implementation of stress/strain/temperature/laser diagnostics, mechanical design, and computer simulation of dynamic events.
• Ability to work in a team and strong communication, interpersonal, and business skills.
• Participate in individual and collaborative research projects as well as support promotional activities for research programs.
• Interact with both commercial and government clients, develop approaches based on client problems, needs, and goals, and manage tasks to successful completion within technical, budget, and schedule constraints under the direction of senior staff.
• Through experiments and computations, develop understanding and models of impact events and fluid flow.
• Write technical reports, make presentations to clients, and author submissions to journals.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Testing of materials with MTS, Hopkinson Bar, Plate Impact, ballistic impact, with diagnostics (oscilloscopes, data acquisition systems, thermocouples, strain gages, high speed video).
• Develop algorithms in Matlab, Python, FORTRAN, or similar for analyzing data from high strain-rate and ballistic experiments and simulations.
• Computer simulations of materials under shock and impact (large strains, high strain rates) and fluid flow in hypersonic environment.
• Use of lasers in various applications like Photon Doppler Velocimetry, velocity measurements, heating.
• Digital image correlation at high strain rates.

Requirements:

• Requires a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or Civil Engineering.
• 0-3 years: Experience with computer codes, in particular those applied to impact problems and/or fluids or radiation.
• Experience with testing materials using universal testing machines.
• Experience with testing materials at high strain rates, plasticity, and continuum mechanics.
• Experience with lasers or other types of radiation is a plus.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.

Special Requirements:

Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.

An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and veteran status.