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 Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research (CIPHER) Laboratory, Command and Control Mission Assurance (C2MA) Division is currently seeking a Mechanical Engineer for a full time position in the C2MA Division, San Diego, CA. This position supports the DoD concept of Rapid Capabilities development and insertion. It will also be responsible for the design, development, testing, fielding and on ongoing technology insertion of critical unmanned system projects for various DoD and other government organization sponsors.

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

• Lead and manage complex mechanical design and packaging tasks, including integration of electromechanical sensors and actors, interface control, motion control, thermal and power management, environmental considerations, and other system requirements
• Direct others in mechanical and electromechanical design studies, requirements analysis, and research
• Coordinate and act as technical subject matter expert for full spectrum of mechanical simulation, analysis and test tasks including thermal, shock, vibration, reliability testing, and application of appropriate MIL, ANSI, and ASME standards
• Lead small to moderate teams of engineers and other personnel
• Architect overall mechanical system designs and coordinate form, fit, and function of numerous interacting subsystems
• Lead the preparation of technical data packages including direction of other engineers and/or drafters
• Translate requirements into physical architectures for subsystems and complete systems
• Provide primary technical point of contact for sponsors and other external project stakeholders
• Mechanical design and documentation of design and fabrication requirements using 2D and 3D modeling tools
• Design and build tools and processes to meet and accelerate major project objectives or moderate institutional strategic goals

Additional Responsibilities

• Oversee technical government programs which are of relatively high risk and high complexity.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration across GTRI, Georgia Tech, and external stakeholder communities.
• Lead Rapid Capabilities and Unmanned/Integrated Weapons System portfolio senior
 engineering collaboration activities including
 technical exchange meetings, technology insertion
 road-mapping, and architecture creation and 
reviews for programs.
• Develop and present technical presentations for
 internal peer reviews and sponsor design reviews
• Plan and develop critical unmanned system engineering products for DoD sponsors
• Interact with program sponsors and stakeholders 
to ensure sponsor satisfaction with research and
 engineering designs.
• Ensure sponsor relationships grow and flourish.
• Research and communicate the latest advances 
in technology knowledge and development across
 all programs.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• 9+ Experience working with working with, developing, and 
managing unmanned and/or integrated weapons systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI Clearance
• Extensive experience in both program
 management of DoD acquisition programs 
blended with systems engineering
 experience/certifications in order to meet full
 spectrum sponsor portfolio capability development
 needs.
• 20 + years experience working with working with, developing, and 
managing unmanned and/or integrated weapons systems

Travel Requirements

10% - 25% 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

• 9 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering or related.
• 7 years of related experience with a Masters’ degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering or related.
• 4 years of related experience with a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering or related.

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.