Senior Mechanical Engineer – DoD Prototyping & Capture Lead

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

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.