Research Scientist I – Mechanical Systems

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Suffolk (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech's Center for Marine Autonomy and Robotics is seeking a Research Associate – Mechanical Systems to lead design, fabrication, integration, testing, and deployment of advanced marine robotic platforms. You will contribute to autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) while working with interdisciplinary teams and sponsors.

The role requires mechanical/electromechanical design expertise, hands‑on fabrication skills, and the ability to deploy systems in

Qualifications

• Master’s in Mechanical or Ocean Engineering or a bachelor’s with 5+ years of related experience.
• Experience designing mechanical/electromechanical subsystems for autonomous vehicles.
• Proficiency with CAD (SolidWorks preferred) and FEA.
• Experience manufacturing parts via CNC, sheet metal, composites, and 3D printing.
• Ability to create and maintain engineering drawings, BOMs, and wiring diagrams.
• Troubleshoot complex hardware, software, and system integration issues.
• Strong hands-on tool usage and collaborative teamwork.
• Must be able to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, fabrication, integration, testing, and deployment of marine robotic platforms.
• Contribute to autonomous underwater/ surface vehicle development and research.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams including faculty, staff, students, and sponsors.
• Prepare technical documentation and support field deployments.

Education

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree in Ocean Engineering

Bachelor’s degree +5 years experience

Subsystem design (mechanical/electromechanical)

CAD design tools (SolidWorks)

FEA for mechanical design

Machining and fabrication (CNC, sheet metal, composites, 3D printing)

Documentation: drawings, wiring diagrams, BOMs

Troubleshooting hardware, software, integration

Hands-on use of hand and power tools

Team collaboration in multidisciplinary groups

Security clearance eligibility

Tools

SolidWorks

FEA tools

CNC machining

Sheet metal bending

Composites fabrication

3D printing

Job description

Job Description

The Center for Marine Autonomy and Robotics at Virginia Tech seeks a Research Associate – Mechanical Systems to provide technical leadership in the design, fabrication, integration, testing, and deployment of advanced marine robotic platforms.

The successful candidate will contribute to the development of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs), and related marine technologies supporting sponsored research initiatives.

This position requires expertise in mechanical and electromechanical system design, fabrication, systems integration, and field deployment.

The Research Associate will collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams consisting of faculty, staff, students, industry partners, and government sponsors to advance cutting‑edge marine autonomy research.

This is a restricted appointment contingent upon the availability of funding, with an initial one‑year term and the expectation of continued renewal based on funding availability and satisfactory performance.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Ocean Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline or or bachelor’s with + 5 years post‑bachelor’s experience.
• Demonstrated experience designing mechanical and electromechanical subsystems for autonomous underwater vehicles or similar robotic platforms.
• Experience with CAD software (SolidWorks Preferred) and mechanical design tools such as FEA.
• Experience with the manufacturing of parts through techniques such as CNC machining, sheet metal bending, composites, & 3D printing.
• Experience creating and maintaining engineering documentation, including technical drawings, detailed assemblies, wiring diagrams, bills of materials, and other technical documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex technical problems involving hardware, basic software, and system integration.
• Strong experience with the use of hand and power tools.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary engineering and research teams.
• Must be able to obtain a security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing unmanned underwater vehicles
• Experience planning and executing field deployments of unmanned underwater vehicles
• Experience with corrosion and mitigation techniques, buoyancy and ballast, & fundamental concepts of hydrodynamics (e.g., lift and drag).
• Experience with motors, ESCs, servos, and other electromechanical components.
• Experience in pressure vessel design.
• Experience mentoring students or junior engineers in laboratory, fabrication, or field environments.
• Experience developing manufacturing, assembly, or testing procedures for research prototypes.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$90,000-$120,000, Commensurate with Experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

November 4, 2026

Additional Information

This position requires eligibility to access and handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), which requires U.S. citizenship. The position may also require the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto,Ut Prosim(That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands‑on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem‑solvers. A comprehensive land‑grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is aninclusive community"dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicinecollege, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Cole Tankersleyat [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.