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

About the role

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).

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.
• Aid in 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.
• Affirm 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.