Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)

PRINCIPAL ENGINEER - STAFF ENGINEER - Marine Structures & Pressure Vessels

Manufacturing & Automotive
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Marine, Naval Architecture, Ocean Engineering or related field.
  • 15+ years of experience in pressure vessel design and fabrication for marine or subsurface applications.
  • 5+ years of supervisory experience in a technical environment.
  • Experience with finite element analysis for pressure loading scenarios.
  • Proficiency in marine material fabrication and inspection methods.
  • Professional Engineer (P.E.) license preferred.
  • Valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as technical authority for pressure vessel systems.
  • Ensure compliance with relevant engineering codes and standards.
  • Provide guidance on fabrication processes and material selection.
  • Approve technical documentation including drawings and fabrication plans.
  • Lead design reviews to ensure engineering rigor and standards alignment.
  • Communicate project status and assist in activity prioritization.
  • Oversee quality program objectives and change management processes.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health coverage including medical, dental, and vision.
  • Retirement savings options with company match.
  • Professional development and training opportunities.
  • Flexible work arrangements where applicable.
  • Generous paid time off and holiday policies.
Full Job Description
Objectives of this Role:

  • This chief engineer-level role will guide a multidisciplinary team (10+) across the full lifecycle-from concept through fabrication and certification-on complex, multi-million dollar programs.
  • Offers a rare opportunity to combine deep technical authority, hands-on engineering, work closely with clients, fabrication teams, and regulatory bodies to deliver high consequence hardware.
  • Serve as the technical authority for pressure vessel systems, ensuring designs meet requirements for quality, performance, and certifiability.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and project requirements (e.g., ASME BPVC, PVHO, NAVSEA P-9290).
  • Provide expert guidance on fabrication processes, inspection methods, and material selection for demanding marine environments.
  • Approve and oversee technical documentation including drawings, material specifications, analysis reports, and fabrication plans.
  • Contribute to business development efforts through client engagement, technical presentations, and concept development.


Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

  • Interface with project managers and team members to identify, plan, and execute project objectives. Provide input and co-design efforts for structures, mechanisms, and pressure chambers.
  • Conduct and lead design reviews, ensuring engineering rigor and alignment with requirements and standards.
  • Regularly communicate status and assist project management in prioritizing activities.
  • Execute quality program objectives to meet internal, project-specific, and/or industry standards. This may include generation of new or editing of existing documentation.
  • Ensure proper change management is followed through monitoring of activities of various teams or systems. Communicate changes regularly with engineering staff and project management.


Requirements:

  • Requires a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture Engineering, Ocean Engineering or related engineering degree with directly related experience.
  • 15+ years: Expertise in design, analysis, and fabrication of pressure vessel or elements for marine/sub-surface structural systems in demanding environments.
  • 5+ years: Leadership and supervisory experience including training of individuals.
  • Experience in finite element analysis for complex or combined pressure loading scenarios, additional mechanism design experience preferred.
  • Proficiency in fabrication and inspection methods for high-strength steels, advanced metallic alloys, and non-metallics for marine environments.
  • P.E. preferred.
  • 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.

Job Locations: San Antonio, Texas

For more information about this division, visit the Mechanical Engineering home page.

For benefits information at our San Antonio location, click here .
For benefits information at all other locations, click here .

About Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is a non-profit research and development organization headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. The institute was founded in 1947 and has since grown to employ over 3,000 people across multiple locations in the United States. SwRI provides research and development services to a variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and energy. The institute's research areas include automation and data systems, chemistry and chemical engineering, and space science and engineering. SwRI has a long history of working with government agencies, including NASA and the Department of Defense, as well as private companies.
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