ENGINEER - RESEARCH ENGINEER - Electromechanical and Optical Systems at Southwest Research Institute

Who We Are:

The Electromechanical & Optical Systems department of the Applied Physics Division at Southwest Research Institute conceives, develops, designs, test and delivers specialized custom electrical, mechanical, optical and photonic systems solutions to benefit the government, industry, and the public.

Objectives of this Role:

• Contribute to the design and development of innovative mechanical, electromechanical, and optical systems.
• Apply proficient CAD modeling techniques to create and refine system designs, from conception to final deliverable stage.
• Produce comprehensive technical drawings and schematics.
• Work in close collaboration with our technical team.
• Act as the point of contact for queries, provide advice and direction, engage in brainstorming sessions, guide design processes, liaise with fabricators, and address troubleshooting needs.
• Assist in generating high-quality, professionally written documentation that clearly communicates engineering concepts, design details, and project outcomes.
• Participate in the review, testing, and validation of design prototypes.
• Utilize engineering methodologies and principles to confirm the functionality and performance of developed systems, ensuring they meet the required specifications and standards.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Provide engineering support to assigned projects – working independently and in team environments.
• Brainstorm, troubleshoot, and provide technical support to colleagues and clients as needed.
• Attend team meetings to discuss project updates, progress, and risks.
• Typical duties will involve the formulation and implementation of approaches to solving a wide array of problems – focused on the design and development of mechanical and electrical systems for data collection.
• Review approaches and designs with other team members or staff.
• Review and prioritize projects, ensuring timely progress and adherence to deadlines.
• Develop and update technical designs, drawings, and schematics using CAD software.
• Communicate and collaborate with design teams to address requirements, offer guidance, and align project goals
• Routinely consult with Program/Project Leads regarding the status of work assignments.
• Direct and supervise the work of technicians as may be required. Provide comprehensive written updates for monthly progress reports, final reports, and proposals.
• Give input on cost estimates.
• Prepare and present work to clients.
• Conduct experiments methodically, analyze data and interpret results.
• Test and evaluate designs.
• Identify, formulate and produce effective solutions to emerging problems.
• Evaluate final product’s overall performance and reliability.

Requirements:

• Requires a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering or related engineering degree.
• 0-5 years: Mechanical Design, Electro-Mechanical Design.
• 0-5 years: Experimental testing setup.
• 0-2 years: SolidWorks and design experience.
• 0-5 years: Strong communication skills.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.