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 Electro-Optical Infrared Systems Division (EISD) performs research in all areas related to active and passive sensor systems. From basic geometric/radiometric modeling and analysis, through design and fabrication, to test and evaluation in the field, our team provides subject matter expertise to our customers in order to solve their most challenging problems in undersea, ground, airborne, and space domains. EISD is a collection of multi-discipline engineers and scientists encompassing optical, physics, mechanical, electrical, computer, and software domains, among others. Our portfolio consists of research programs in and related to: Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR); Undersea Warfare; Atmospheric Optics; Tactical Imaging, e.g. Degraded Visual Environments (DVE); Automatic Target Recognition; Intelligence Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (PED); Free-space Optical Communications; Space Situational Awareness (SSA); Tagging, Tracking, and Locating (TTL); LIDAR; Remote Sensing; High-energy laser systems; etc.

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 mechanical systems using 2D and 3D modeling tools
• Contribute to the preparation of technical data packages
• Execute basic mechanical analysis and test tasks
• Perform mechanical measurements, component selection, and limited prototyping

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Candidates currently enrolled in an accredited degree program relevant to this position will be considered. The candidate must have a graduation date of no later than December 2025.
• Experience using SolidWorks
• Familiar with GD&T and manufacturing technologies
• Hands on experience for assembly, test, and troubleshooting
• Familiar with machine shop tools
• Assembly and test experience
• Experience developing prototype systems
• Project management and task leadership experience
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Security Clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Active SECRET security clearance
• Familiar with model-based systems engineering (MBSE)
• Experience generating ANSI-compliant level 2/3 drawings
• Experience in one or more of the following: performing CFD/FEA using ANSYS Icepak, performing opto-mechanical analyses, integrating systems into air/space platforms, designing ruggedized systems, performing thermal analyses
• Experience with optomechanical tolerancing and structural, thermal, and optical performance (STOP) analysis
• Experience with optical system design, development, and fabrication
• Experience working with active and passive electro-optical systems including, but not limited to LIDARs, infrared imagers, hyperspectral imagers, polarimeters

Travel Requirements

<10% travel

Education and Length of Experience

• 0-5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other related discipline.
• 0-3 years of related experience with a Masters’ degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other related discipline.
• 0 years of related experience with a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other related discipline.

Please refer to our Research Faculty Technical Level Guidelines for minimum requirements at the higher levels.

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 Institute 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 Institute 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.

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (“USG”) and Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of an individual’s race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. 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.