Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)

RESEARCH ENGINEER - SR. RESEARCH ENGINEER - Mechanical Designer/Engineer for Propulsion System

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) • $90K — $120K *
San Antonio, TX 78228In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
2 months ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical Engineering, or related field required.
  • 1 year of experience required with Master's, 0 years with PhD in relevant areas.
  • 2-5 years of mechanical design experience using FEA for stress predictions.
  • 2-5 years of design, commissioning, and testing experience in high pressure/extreme temperature systems.
  • Familiarity with ASME Pressure Vessel Code and related industry standards is essential.

Responsibilities

  • Support design, analysis, and testing of propulsion and energy systems.
  • Conduct research, design, analysis, and simulation development using engineering software.
  • Provide mechanical design support for power generation and combustion applications.
  • Develop and operate new experimental test programs and rigs.
  • Oversee testing and rig modifications according to project needs.
  • Lead technical initiatives and guide junior engineers in project work.
  • Solve problems creatively with a first-principles approach.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work on cutting-edge propulsion and energy technologies.
  • Collaborative environment drawing on expertise from a large engineering team.
  • Exposure to high-pressure and extreme temperature system challenges.
  • Access to state-of-the-art engineering software and tools.
Full Job Description
  • Support the design, analysis, and testing of systems and components used in a variety of propulsion and energy processes.
  • Typical application areas include: supercritical CO2 oxy-fuel combustion systems, gas turbine combustion systems, and launch vehicle components.
  • Apply principles of machine design, piping/pressure vessel design, process controls and instrumentation, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer to develop test systems and specify components.
  • Many systems operate at extreme pressure and temperature conditions.
  • Apply knowledge of fabrication methods, assembly, and geometric dimensioning & tolerancing (GD&T) to ensure components are designed in a way that can be manufactured and assembled.
  • Utilize CAD software (Solidworks) to develop mechanical designs and visualize component fitments and assemblies.
  • Communicate ideas, results, and other information to coworkers as well as commercial and government clients.

  • Provide design, analytical, and experimental support to more than one project in a team environment.
  • Typical tasks include research, design, analysis, and simulation development. Use commercial engineering software such as ANSYS Workbench or APDL for design and analysis.
  • Provide mechanical and machine design support for a variety of applications that include power generation, propulsion, and combustion.
  • As needed, work across the Institute to draw on the experience from thousands of engineers and technicians.
  • Contribute and be responsible for technical development of experimental test programs, including developing/operating a new test rig.
  • Take responsibility for testing/rig modifications to meet new project objectives.
  • Direct the technical work of other engineers and technicians.
  • Assess the best approach to solve problems and interrogate results for reliability.
  • Provide troubleshooting support for tests and simulations with a firm understanding of theories and concepts using a first-principles approach.
  • Act as the primary technical lead for mechanical designs and guide technical direction of other engineers for projects/proposal efforts.
  • Be a problem solver that exercises creativity and independent judgement in determining approaches to solve a wide range of technical problems.

  • Requires a Bachelors, Masters or a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related engineering degree. 1 yr experience required with MS degree, 0 yr experience required with PhD in relevant areas.
  • 2-5 years: Mechanical design experience applying tools like FEA to predict component/assembly stresses and evaluate fitness for service.
  • 2-5 years: Design, commissioning, and testing experience with high pressure and/or extreme temperature (cryogenic or combustion) process systems.
  • 2-5 years: Experience with industry standards, such as ASME Pressure Vessel Code, ASME B31 Piping Codes, machine assembly, maintenance, and repair.
  • MS or PhD degrees in engineering are preferred, but not required.
  • A valid/clear driver's license is required.

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.
Learn more about Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)
Size
3,000 employees
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
* Ladders Estimates

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