Company Description:
Houston Mechatronics, Inc. (HMI) is Houston's leader in robotic and automation systems and is located in Webster, TX; just down the street from NASA’s Johnson Space Center. We want you to be a part of our amazing team as we design, develop, and deploy intelligent, automated systems in 3 key markets: Oil & Gas, Telecomm, and Defense. The focus of our company is to disrupt the status quo and to advance the integration of robotics within our targeted industries.
Job Description:
We’re looking for a talented engineer to join our team as we shape the future of subsea robotics. This is a senior engineering position on HMI’s Aquanaut mechanical design team. This is not an engineering management role, but a hardcore design engineering position requiring strong technical leadership. You will work closely with the Chief Engineer and Vehicle Mechanical Design Lead to optimize hydrodynamic efficiency, maneuverability, and station keeping while ensuring robust system design and survivability in deep water. Candidates must have a strong understanding of naval engineering principles with the creativity and desire to push the limits of what is possible while being deadline driven.
Essential Duties:
● Gather inputs and closely collaborate with team members in the mechanical, electrical, and software disciplines to generate optimal design specifications utilizing a systems engineering mindset
● Determine hardware requirements for system survivability in deep water
● Write test plans for hardware validation in deep water
● Design and analysis of hull form geometry and control surfaces to determine hydrodynamic performance and maneuverability
● Vehicle station keeping and seakeeping analysis
● Analyzing hydrodynamic data from small scale models and applying the analysis to the design of a full scale vehicle
● Optimization of propeller geometry and associated electric propulsors
● Vehicle weight, ballast, and stability analysis in both AUV and ROV configurations
● Assist in systems engineering analysis related to power/energy budget, speed vs range trade offs, and related areas
● Design calculations for vehicle structures, pressure vessels, lift points, etc
● Material selection for subsea environment
● Assembly of hardware and associated testing
● Documentation of analysis and testing
● Work with external vendors to coordinate testing
● Troubleshoot issues, determine root causes, and provide design solutions
● Technical leadership/mentorship
Minimum Requirements:
● B.S. in Naval Architecture, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering with a dedicated focus on design/analysis in a maritime environment
● 5+ years design/analysis experience
● Experience with hydrodynamic analysis and associated software tools
● Experience designing subsea hardware
● You must have an adaptive mindset, a desire to learn new things, and the willingness to be a technical mentor to other engineers
● Strong hands-on technical skills (Ability to use basic hand/power tools to assemble complex hardware)
● Strong attention to detail
● Ability to work both independently and as part of a team are essential
● Must exhibit strong written and verbal communications skills (English)
● Experienced CAD user (Solidworks Preferred)
Preferred Experience and Skills:
- Previous experience designing:
- Subsea vehicles (AUV, ROV, Submarines, etc)
- Composite structures
- Electro-mechanical actuators
- Time spent at sea testing or operating subsea vehicles
- Previous experience at a startup company or competitive engineering design team (RoboSub, Formula SAE, Baja SAE, Maritime Robot X, etc)
- Familiarity with API/DNV design standards for AUV/ROV
Houston Mechatronics, Inc (HMI) is a Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, immigration status, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
In addition, HMI is a federal contractor required to adhere to the Arms Export Control Act of 1976 which governs the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). As a result, this position may include access to export controlled information that is subject to US export control laws. Export control laws require employers to restrict access to export controlled information or to obtain export licenses for non-U.S. person employees if their positions require access to information governed by ITAR. The ITAR defines a U.S. person means a person (as defined in §120.14 of this part) who is a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) which includes certain temporary residents and refugees and asylees. HMI does not obtain export licenses for these positions.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.