Research And Development Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Indiana

SAIC is seeking a Mechanical Engineer - to join a multidisciplinary team supporting the design and development of advanced receiver (Rx) and transmitter (Tx) systems for aerospace and sea-based platforms. This role focuses on providing mechanical engineering expertise to ensure the successful integration of systems within diverse environments, ranging from flight systems to shipboard installations.

The selected individual will design mechanical solutions for system integration, including mounting systems, antenna gimballing/vectoring mechanisms, and equipment enclosures. Additional responsibilities include developing installation plans, addressing environmental factors such as aerospace and shipboard conditions, and ensuring compliance with stringent operational specifications. The role also involves packaging designs for transportation and engineering considerations for material/weight handling and structural loading for shipboard systems.

This position requires a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to developing systems critical to national defense applications. The selected engineer will support onsite or collaborative work at Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, Crane, IN.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Mechanical Design for RF Systems Integration: 

• Design and develop mechanical solutions to integrate RF Rx/Tx systems into flight systems and shipboard environments. 
• Engineer mounting systems for sea-based systems, ensuring system stability, durability, and compliance with operational environmental constraints. 
• Design and analyze antenna gimballing/vectoring systems, addressing mechanical, dynamic, and loading considerations. 
• Create designs that account for vibration, shock, and temperature variations encountered in aerospace and shipboard environments. 

Installation and Integration Planning: 

• Develop installation and integration plans for systems on both flight platforms and shipboard platforms. 
• Perform structural and environmental analysis to ensure proper installation within aerospace and shipboard environments. 
• Incorporate weight and material handling considerations into design plans for shipboard systems to ensure compliance with operational and safety standards. 
• Address dimensional, load-bearing, and material specifications for mounting and structural elements. 

Packaging and Transportation Design: 

• Design packaging solutions to ensure safe transportation of system assemblies and components. 
• Engineer ruggedized and secure enclosures to protect systems and subsystems during transit and deployment. 
• Address operational constraints and maximize the transportability of systems for aerospace and shipboard applications. 

Multidisciplinary Collaboration: 

• Collaborate with RF engineers, electrical engineers, and systems engineers to ensure all mechanical designs meet system-level requirements. 
• Contribute to trade studies to evaluate mechanical options for optimal performance, reliability, and cost considerations. 
• Participate in system testing and validation efforts to align mechanical designs with program requirements and operational scenarios. 

Shipboard Engineering and Special Considerations: 

• Develop designs that support weight handling and material handling equipment for shipboard installations. 
• Perform analyses related to structural loading, vibration, and dynamic forces to ensure reliability in harsh maritime environments and aerospace re-entry environments.  
• Ensure compliance with Navy, MIL-STD, and other applicable standards for shipboard operations. 

Required Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related technical field. 
• Two (2) more years of experience in mechanical engineering related to aerospace and/or shipboard system integration. 
• Interim secret clearance required to start with the ability to obtain a Secret Clearance. SAIC will sponsor the clearance process if necessary. 
• Candidate must be a US Citizen
• Demonstrated expertise in designing mechanical systems for dynamic environments, including mounting systems, enclosures, and installations. 
• Experience designing systems to operate in aerospace and/or maritime environments, accounting for vibration, shock, thermal variation, and loading. 
• Strong skills in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, or CREO) and analytical tools for structural and environmental analysis (e.g., ANSYS or Abaqus). 
• Proven ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated engineering solutions. 
• Knowledge of MIL-STD and industry standards applicable to aerospace and naval systems a plus. 

Preferred Experience: 

• Experience with RF system integration or similar electronics enclosures and mounting systems. 
• Familiarity with antenna vectoring or gimballing systems and their mechanical design requirements. 
• Hands-on experience with material and weight-handling systems for shipboard applications. 
• Knowledge of packaging and transportation requirements for sensitive or mission-critical equipment. 
• Certifications such as Fundamentals of Engineering (FE), Professional Engineer (PE), or similar industry qualifications are a plus.