Senior Mechanical Engineer

TEXAS RESEARCH INSTITUTE AUSTIN INC; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Job summary

TRI Austin, Inc. seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead a multidisciplinary R&D team in Austin, TX, driving advanced mechanical design, prototype fabrication, testing, and capture activities with DoD program experience.

The role requires a strong background in composites/advanced materials, and a successful track record in winning SBIR/STTR or IRAD efforts, along with proven leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field with 8+ years of experience, or M.S./Ph.D. with 5+ years of experience.
• Proven hands-on experience in developing and testing complex mechanical hardware for defense/aerospace/maritime; composite materials a must.
• Experience leading technical proposals, white papers, and DoD capture efforts.
• Experience supporting DoD/military programs in a leadership capacity (proposal capture, program execution, or customer interactions).
• Proficiency in a major 3D CAD system and engineering analysis tools (FEA, CFD).
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication; able to present to diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead all phases of mechanical design from concept to prototype, including 3D CAD, drawings, BOMs, and manufacturability reviews.
• Oversee fabrication, assembly, and testing of advanced prototypes in lab and field sites; document results for reports and presentations.
• Perform complex analyses using FEA/CFD to validate designs and mitigate risk.
• Provide guidance on composite materials work (layups, curing, NDE, testing) and translate material behavior into reliable designs.
• Lead proposal and capture efforts: define scope, write technical volumes, and manage cost/schedule inputs.

Skills

Leadership

Proposal writing

Technical writing

Communication

Education

B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field

Tools

FEA

CFD

3D CAD software

Job description

Description

TRI Austin seeks an experienced and highly motivated Senior Mechanical Engineer to take a leading role in our multidisciplinary R&D team. This strategic position combines advanced mechanical design and analysis, prototype fabrication and testing, and leadership in technical capture activities, including customer discovery, solution development, proposal writing, and technical presentations. The ideal candidate is a seasoned engineer with a strong background in DoD or military programs, deep practical materials experience, and a proven ability to win and execute complex government research projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Spearhead and own all phases of mechanical design from concept to prototype, including 3D CAD, detailed drawings, BOMs, and manufacturability reviews. Guide design iterations to accelerate fabrication and field testing.
• Lead the fabrication, assembly, and testing of advanced prototypes in the lab and at field sites; direct the creation and execution of test procedures, perform high-level analysis of test data, and document results for technical reports and executive presentations.
• Direct and perform complex engineering analyses using FEA or other advanced tools to validate design decisions and mitigate program risk.
• Provide expert guidance on hands-on composite material work, including the fabrication, repair, and testing of fiber-reinforced systems (layups, curing, NDE, thermomechanical testing), and translate complex materials behavior into robust, reliable designs.
• Architect and lead proposal and capture efforts; develop innovative technical approaches, define program scope, write compelling technical volumes, and oversee cost/schedule inputs to win funded research.
• Serve as the primary technical lead for integrating mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems where applicable; manage vendors, subcontractors and test resources, and external collaborators to ensure project success.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers and technicians, establishing best practices and maintaining the highest standards of engineering documentation (lab notebooks, drawings, test logs).

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field with 8+ years of relevant experience, or an M.S./Ph.D. with 5+ years of experience.
• Extensive, proven hands-on experience developing and testing complex mechanical hardware for defense, aerospace, maritime, or other demanding applications. A strong background with composite structures or other advanced materials is required.
• Demonstrated leadership in developing technical proposals, white papers, statements of work, and research plans, with a track record of winning or making significant contributions to successful SBIR/STTR, BAA, IRAD, or other DoD capture efforts.
• Significant experience supporting DoD, US Navy, or other military programs in a technical leadership capacity (proposal capture, program execution, or customer interactions).
• Expert proficiency in a major 3D CAD system and extensive experience with engineering analysis and simulation tools (FEA, CFD, etc.).
• Exceptional technical writing and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to present complex technical information to diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Substantial direct experience with defense platform or mission areas, such as weapon and launcher systems, missiles or rocket motors, naval shipboard equipment, unmanned maritime systems, aircraft hardware, ordnance handling, survivability, or platform sustainment.
• Deep knowledge of relevant manufacturing methods such as machining, welding, composite processing, additive manufacturing, sheet-metal fabrication, castings, coatings, and low‑rate prototype production.
• Proven experience leading hardware development through the entire lifecycle: requirements development, design reviews (PDR/CDR), environmental qualification, system integration, and field demonstration.
• Expertise in designing, fabricating, testing, repairing, or qualifying fiber-reinforced composite structures. Direct processing experience is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated success managing project budgets, schedules, and technical teams; proven track record of taking R&D results toward productization or transition.

What We Offer

• Mission‑driven R&D supporting the Warfighter and government customers in a collaborative small‑business environment.
• Opportunity to work across a broad portfolio (materials, ocean/vehicle systems, instruments, and advanced components) and to lead both technical execution and capture activities.
• Competitive salary (DOE) and benefits, with hands‑on R&D work in Austin, TX.

The ability to obtain a US DoD security clearance is mandatory. For more information, please see the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) website https://www.dss.mil/ma/tw/dvd/vroc/faqs/

TRI Austin, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.