Technical Professional Staff Member - Mechanical Design and Test Engineer (Temporary)

Requisition Id 16713A

Overview:

We are seeking a temporary Technical Professional Staff Member to support the design, integration, testing, and verification of advanced additive manufacturing systems and components. This position resides in the Manufacturing Systems Design Group in the Manufacturing Science Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

As part of our research team, you will support the development of practical mechanical designs, robotic system components, sensor integrations, fixtures, test methods, and documentation needed to advance MDF hybrid and additive manufacturing capabilities for government and industrial users.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Support research and development projects involving additive manufacturing systems, robotic manufacturing hardware, hybrid manufacturing platforms, and related mechanical subsystems.
• Create and revise mechanical CAD models, assemblies, drawings, bills of materials, and supporting design documentation for experimental manufacturing systems and components.
• Assist with the design, assembly, integration, and checkout of robotic systems, sensors, fixtures, tooling, motion hardware, and other components used in advanced manufacturing research.
• Support testing and verification of new systems and components, including test planning, data collection, troubleshooting, documentation of results, and implementation of design improvements under guidance from senior technical staff.
• Assist efforts to improve additive manufacturing process efficiency, system integration, process development, throughput, reliability, and energy efficiency on MDF hybrid and additive manufacturing systems.
• Fabricate, install, modify, and evaluate prototype hardware in collaboration with researchers, engineers, technicians, machinists, programmers, and external partners.
• Prepare and present technical results through reports, design reviews, presentations, test summaries, and other documentation for sponsors, peer reviewers, and internal project teams.
• Network and collaborate with other groups and divisions to support multidisciplinary R&D activities while learning established ORNL policies, procedures, safety practices, and work methods.
• Deliver ORNL mission outcomes by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with ORNL core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service, and by fostering a respectful workplace.

Basic Qualifications:

• A BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a related engineering discipline.
• Relevant experience supporting engineering design, mechanical systems, manufacturing systems, additive manufacturing, robotics, testing, or applied research projects.
• Experience using computer-aided design tools to develop mechanical models, assemblies, drawings, or design documentation; SolidWorks experience is preferred.
• Ability to apply engineering principles and scientific methods to solve routine technical problems under guidance from project leads and senior technical staff.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to support technical documentation, design reviews, test summaries, reports, presentations, and routine interactions with project teams and sponsors.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Basic programming experience for engineering analysis, test automation, data processing, or hardware integration.
• Experience or coursework involving industrial robots, motion systems, sensors, controls, machine integration, or automation hardware.
• Understanding of additive manufacturing processes and common challenges associated with system integration, process development, throughput, reliability, and energy efficiency.
• Experience in applied research, laboratory, manufacturing, machine design, product development, or prototyping environment.
• Hands-on experience with assembly, fabrication, instrumentation, test stands, fixtures, mechanical troubleshooting, or safe operation of laboratory equipment.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to follow guidance, learn quickly, work safely, and participate creatively in collaborative technical teams across the laboratory.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities across multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to evolving program needs.

Special Requirements:

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position
• This is a temporary 24-month position. The appointment length will be up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance, programmatic need, and availability of funding.
• This position requires access to technology that is subject to export control requirements. Successful candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license.

Please submit two letters of reference when applying to this position. You may upload these directly to your application or have them sent toORNLRecruiting@ornl.govwith the position title and number referenced in the subject line.

Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:

• Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
• View Profile
• Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.