Research Scientist I – Mechanical Systems

Virginia Tech•Suffolk, VA

12d•$90,000 - $120,000

About The Position

The Center for Marine Autonomy and Robotics at Virginia Tech seeks a Research Associate – Mechanical Systems to provide technical leadership in the design, fabrication, integration, testing, and deployment of advanced marine robotic platforms. The role contributes to the development of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs), and related marine technologies supporting sponsored research initiatives. It requires expertise in mechanical and electromechanical system design, fabrication, systems integration, and field deployment. The position collaborates with interdisciplinary teams of faculty, staff, students, industry partners, and government sponsors to advance marine autonomy research. This is a restricted appointment contingent on funding availability, with an initial one-year term and expected renewal based on available funding and satisfactory performance. The position is exempt from overtime and is scheduled for 40 hours per week. Salary is $90,000–$120,000, commensurate with experience. The position requires eligibility to access and handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), which requires U.S. citizenship. It may also require the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance. A criminal conviction check is required.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Ocean Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline, or a bachelor’s degree with more than five years of post-bachelor’s experience.
Demonstrated experience designing mechanical and electromechanical subsystems for autonomous underwater vehicles or similar robotic platforms.
Experience with CAD software; SolidWorks is preferred, and experience with mechanical design tools such as FEA is required.
Experience manufacturing parts using techniques such as CNC machining, sheet metal bending, composites, and 3D printing.
Experience creating and maintaining engineering documentation, including technical drawings, detailed assemblies, wiring diagrams, bills of materials, and other technical documentation.
Ability to troubleshoot complex technical problems involving hardware, basic software, and system integration.
Strong experience using hand and power tools.
Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary engineering and research teams.
Must be able to obtain a security clearance.
Eligibility to access and handle CUI, requiring U.S. citizenship.
Ability to undergo a criminal conviction check.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing unmanned underwater vehicles.
Experience planning and executing field deployments of unmanned underwater vehicles.
Experience with corrosion and mitigation techniques, buoyancy and ballast, and fundamental hydrodynamics concepts such as lift and drag.
Experience with motors, ESCs, servos, and other electromechanical components.
Experience in pressure vessel design.
Experience mentoring students or junior engineers in laboratory, fabrication, or field environments.
Experience developing manufacturing, assembly, or testing procedures for research prototypes.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Experience with SolidWorks.

Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership in designing, fabricating, integrating, testing, and deploying advanced marine robotic platforms.
Contribute to the development of autonomous underwater vehicles, autonomous surface vehicles, and related marine technologies for sponsored research.
Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, industry partners, and government sponsors.
Plan and execute field deployments of unmanned underwater vehicles (preferred qualification).
Mentor students or junior engineers in laboratory, fabrication, or field environments (preferred qualification).
Develop manufacturing, assembly, or testing procedures for research prototypes (preferred qualification).