Research and Development Mechanical Engineer Jobs
Research and Development Mechanical Engineer jobs are open across aerospace, medical devices, automotive, and industrial manufacturing, with specializations in product design, thermal systems, and materials engineering, at every level from entry-level to principal and staff. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Scientific Applications & Research Associates, Inc. (SARA) is a world-class Defense Research and Development enterprise, with a charter to create new and emerging technology innovations in support of Commercial & Government organizations. We are world leaders in RF, EMP, Pulsed Power, Acoustics and Signal Processing; partnering with our customers to address real world problems with cost effective solutions… that work.
The Artificial Perception and Threat Awareness (APTA) division at Scientific Applications & Research Associates, Inc. (SARA) is making the future of Aerospace and Autonomy happen now, with a charter to create new and emerging sensor perception technologies for Commercial & Military markets. Our innovative technologies include RF, optical and acoustic sensors enabled with innovative embedded algorithms, machine learning and robust networking.
The APTA division is looking for an exceptionally talented, motivated, and creative Research and Development Engineer to support research & development (R&D) as well as product prototyping and low-rate production efforts in Cypress, CA. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to grow and learn with other talented engineers, software developers, physicists, and technicians on varied programs supporting government agencies, their contractors, and commercial entities. The selectee will have the freedom to exercise their initiative, adaptability, drive, and of course, engineering skills in a fast-paced, highly technical environment.
The R&D Engineer will be a part of small R&D and/or product development teams – helping to bring ideas and theories to practice and then to physical reality. This is a hands-on job that will have you in the lab or workshop as much as you are on the computer. As part of R&D efforts, you will perform experiments, analyses, and design/build proof of concept hardware to demonstrate feasibility in practice. On product development teams, you will design, fabricate, assemble, integrate, and test prototype or low-rate production systems to meet customer or business needs. In either capacity, the R&D Engineer will support and embrace the roles and responsibilities defined by program leadership.
Core Responsibilities:
- Creating and maintaining comprehensive project documentation
- Using and continually developing technical skills
- Working with Functional Management to ensure continuity of training, tasking, and assignments
- Performing other related duties as assigned
Key Competencies:
- Solid knowledge of engineering principles
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Strong analytical skills
- Good judgement
- Excellent communication skills
- Independence and self-motivation
- Ability to work effectively within large and small teams
- Adaptability
Requirements:
-
Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering discipline (i.e., mechanical, electrical, software, aerospace, etc.)
- GPA 3.5 or higher
- 0 to 5 years applicable experience
- Physical ability to assemble and manipulate small electronic and mechanical assemblies, as appropriate
- Physical ability to work with laboratory and test equipment, as appropriate
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Experience with Microsoft Office tool suite
- US citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance
- May require Moderate physical effort, including standing, sitting, and use of hands while performing duties, and carrying or lifting up to 50 pounds
- Working environment is indoor, moderately loud, reasonably clean, well-lighted, and well-ventilated; moderate physical hazards may exist
Preferred Qualifications:
-
Graduate degree in an engineering discipline or physics
- GPA 3.5 or higher
- Experience with SolidWorks or other CAD software
- Experience with OrCAD or similar electronic design tool
- MATLAB experience
- LabVIEW experience
- Conversant in some of the following subjects: Mechanical design, Electrical and Electronic design & operation, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computer Science, Signal Processing algorithms, Electromagnetic/Radio Frequency/Acoustic phenomenology
SARA offers a competitive benefits package to include:
- Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance; and other supplemental programs
- A generous PTO program (vacation, sick, holiday)
- Tuition & certification reimbursement
- Flexible work schedules
- Discretionary Employee bonuses
- 401(k) match/profit sharing
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Pay Range
Salary at SARA is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $70,000 to $90,000 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of SARA’s total compensation package for employees. Positions are on-site, unless indicated otherwise.
SARA is an equal employment opportunity employer.
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
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What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research and development mechanical engineer jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo
- Experience with FEA or CFD simulation tools such as ANSYS or Abaqus
- Hands-on prototype fabrication, testing, and iterative design experience
- Familiarity with GD&T, engineering drawing standards, and design for manufacturability
- Experience working within structured product development or stage-gate processes
Tips for Your Research and Development Mechanical Engineer Job Search
Quantify your prototype and testing outcomes
R&D hiring managers want to see what your work produced, not just what you did. Replace vague bullets with specific outcomes: cycle time reductions, prototype iterations completed, test failure rates lowered, or weight targets met. Numbers turn a generic resume into evidence.
List every CAD and simulation tool you use
R&D mechanical roles often screen by software stack before a human reads your resume. Call out SolidWorks, CATIA, ANSYS, MATLAB, or Creo explicitly in a skills section, and mirror the exact tool names from each job posting you target.
Target postings by development stage and industry
An early-stage R&D role at a medical device startup runs very differently from a sustaining-engineering R&D position at a defense prime. Filter openings by the development phase that matches your experience so your background aligns with the actual day-to-day work.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists research and development mechanical engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prep for a design-review style technical interview
R&D mechanical interviews frequently ask you to walk through a past project end to end, defending your design decisions under scrutiny. Practice narrating your design rationale, the trade-offs you considered, and how you validated your final approach before the interview.
Negotiate around IP assignment and publication rights
R&D roles often come with broad invention assignment agreements and publication approval clauses. Before accepting an offer, clarify which prior inventions are excluded, whether you can publish research externally, and what the approval timeline looks like for conference submissions.
Research and Development Mechanical Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most research and development mechanical engineers?
Maverick Power, SARA, and Simpson Strong-Tie are hiring the most research and development mechanical engineers right now, with openings concentrated in Texas, Arizona, and Maine, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Aerospace, medical device, and advanced manufacturing firms consistently account for the largest share of active postings.
How many research and development mechanical engineer jobs are remote?
About 0% of research and development mechanical engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on, lab-dependent nature of most R&D work. Sub-disciplines that involve more modeling and simulation, such as computational fluid dynamics analysis and systems integration, tend to have the highest share of remote-eligible roles.
How do you become a research and development mechanical engineer?
Start with a mechanical engineering degree that includes coursework in thermodynamics, materials science, and machine design. Build hands-on skills through capstone projects, co-ops, or internships that involve prototyping or testing. Proficiency in at least one major CAD and one simulation platform strengthens your candidacy significantly. Some employers prefer or require a master's degree for roles focused on advanced research.
How do you get hired as a research and development mechanical engineer with little experience?
Focus on roles labeled associate, junior, or engineer I, which are structured for candidates coming out of school or early in their careers. Document any project work, senior capstone contributions, or internship prototyping thoroughly on your resume. Applying to companies with formal rotational or new-graduate engineering programs gives you structured exposure across multiple R&D projects early on.
What does the research and development mechanical engineer interview process look like?
Most processes start with a recruiter screen followed by a technical phone interview covering fundamentals in mechanics, thermodynamics, or materials. A design exercise or take-home problem is common at the mid-stage, often asking you to propose a solution to an open-ended engineering challenge. Final rounds typically include a panel with senior engineers and a detailed walkthrough of a past project, with questions focused on your design rationale and testing methodology.
Where can I find and apply to research and development mechanical engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to research and development mechanical engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your background and target industry, and apply directly to each listing that fits.
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