Overview:

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry. GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.   

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do: 

1. Students are our top priority.
2. We strive for excellence.
3. We thrive on diversity.
4. We celebrate collaboration.
5. We champion innovation.
6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
8. We act ethically.
9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Project/Unit Description

The GTRI Aerospace, Transportation & Advanced Systems Laboratory develops advanced technologies and systems from concept development to prototypes. ATAS Mechanical Design Engineers perform engineering design and analysis in support of these systems, on behalf of multiple sponsored research programs. Custom, fully functional, fully integrated system hardware and full documentation are the principal deliverables for these programs, which include radar systems, state-of-the-art electronics, and advanced systems for ground-based, naval, airborne, and space applications.

This position is to fill an immediate need for a mechanical engineer to join our project teams to help develop unique components and systems. The initial emphasis will be on design and analysis of structures, electronic equipment packaging, and thermal control systems. Projects also often require work with kinematic mechanisms, dynamics, servo controls, sensor integration, machine design, hydraulics, pneumatics, fluid flow systems, HVAC, and material properties. It is a continuous learning and growth environment to supplement academic knowledge in almost all subdisciplines associated with mechanical engineering.

Job Purpose

The Mechanical Engineer is responsible for the research and development of state-of-the-art mechanical and electro-mechanical systems. This includes ideation, design, analysis, manufacture, implementation, integration, and testing of components, subsystems, and full systems, as well as guiding their successful deployment and implementation in a variety of environments. Applications include aeronautics, aerospace, transportation, military equipment, radar and electromagnetic systems, electronics, optical systems, Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), and remote sensing. Mechanical Engineers evaluate materials, structures, kinematics, thermodynamics, and fabrication methods, combining theoretical and experimental results to meet and manage complex system requirements. Core functions encompass modeling, simulation, and analysis of proposed designs, including finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), vibration, shock, and fatigue analysis, and thermal analysis. Functions may include reverse engineering and redesign of existing mechanical assemblies and components, research in emerging and advanced manufacturing methods, creation of technical data packages to communicate design and manufacturing intent to project teams and stakeholders, or development and evaluation of prototypes.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and document design intent and fabrication requirements using 2D and 3D modeling tools.
• Conduct refined mechanical and electro-mechanical system design studies and requirements analysis.
• Make significant contributions to technical data packages including 3D models, 2D engineering drawings, requirements documents, or test and verification plans.
• Development and completion of mechanical analysis and test procedures such as thermal analysis, vibration, and reliability testing.
• Generate performance design criteria in conjunction with project technical lead.
• Translate requirements into physical architectures for subsystems and complete systems.
• Selection of mechanical components, system dimensions, and packaging architecture.
• Design, assembly, and fabrication of test fixtures.
• Develop or contribute to technical reports and presentations.
• Design and build tools and processes to assist SMEs in completing advanced tasks.
• Contribute to white papers, published papers, or competitive proposals.

Additional Responsibilities

• Generate design concepts and preliminary designs, cost estimates, 3D CAD models, structural and thermal analysis, specifications, final detailed designs, and fabrication drawings.
• Specify and purchase materials and components.
• Coordinate fabrication, assembly, installation, and integration of equipment and systems.
• Set up and conduct experiments.
• Prepare progress reports, O&M manuals, and design review presentations.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• At least 2 years broad-based mechanical engineering design and analysis experience across subdisciplines such as machine design, structures, kinematics, vibration, thermal systems, fluid flow, hydraulics, pneumatics, electronics packaging, or servo controls.
• Good working knowledge of structural material properties and machine shop fabrication processes.
• Must be proficient with 3D CAD.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret Clearance.
• Experience working with DoD projects including military vehicles, aircraft, and/or ships.
• Design experience with radar systems and/or RF communications systems.
• CAD experience with Solidworks software.
• Structural/thermal FEA experience.
• Experience working with project teams.
• Hands-on experience working with machine tools.

Travel Requirements

• <10% travel.

Education and Length of Experience

This position vacancy is an open-rank announcement. The final job offer will be dependent on candidate qualifications in alignment with Research Faculty Extension Professional ranks as outlined in section 3.2.1 of the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook

• 2 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.
• 0 years of related experience with a Masters’ degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.

U.S. Citizenship Requirements

Due to our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be U.S. Citizens.

Clearance Type Required

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.

Benefits at GTRI

Comprehensive information on currently offered GTRI benefits, including Health & Welfare, Retirement Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Time Off, and Professional Development, can be found through this link: https://benefits.hr.gatech.edu/.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services.  Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions.  This prohibition applies to faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including affiliates, invitees, and guests. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.