Engineer @ Texas Tech University System

Position Description

Provides professional, highly technical expertise in the application of engineering principles, techniques and methods.

About the University

Founded in 1923, Texas Tech University began with a mission to serve the needs of West Texas, but its impact has always reached far beyond. Today, Texas Tech, located in Lubbock (pop. 300,000+), is home to a vibrant community of more than 42,000 students. Texas Tech's 1,800-acre campus showcases Spanish Renaissance architecture and is home to one of the country's largest public art collections. Its 13 colleges include a prestigious School of Law and a distinguished School of Veterinary Medicine. These programs equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their respective fields.

Built on the values of West Texas — hard work, grit and authenticity — the university graduates students who are deeply engaged in service to their communities and well-positioned to succeed in the world. Texas Tech is committed to achieving research and scholarly accomplishments that compare favorably to the member institutions of the Association of American Universities (AAU). For more than 100 years, Texas Tech has been a premier destination for those seeking a world-class education and a unique, personalized experience as a member of the Red Raider family.

About the Department and/or College

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering awarded 212 undergraduate, 54 MS and 8 PhD degrees in AY 2025-26. Department enrollment includes 1841 undergraduate students and 148 graduate students. Among the 35 tenure-track, tenured, research professors and professors of practice, roughly 30% are women and minorities. In the last 5 years, department faculty have been awarded nearly 17.5 million dollars in externally sponsored research, of which 70% was from federal sources. Faculty are known for cited work on bio-inspired devices, computational mechanics, vortex dynamics, turbulence, microfluidics, nanoimprinting, physiological microstructure and translational nutrition, cardiovascular dynamics, nanomedicine, energetic and biological materials, and robust control methods.

Department faculty recognitions and awards include membership in the US National Academy of Engineering and foreign Academies of Engineering and the Sciences, recognitions as Thomson-Reuters highly cited scholars, PECASE, and NSF CAREER awards. For more information about the mechanical engineering department, please visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/me/.

Major/Essential Functions

• Engineering design and drafting: Prepare and revise mechanical designs, CAD models, engineering drawings, and technical documentation in support of departmental projects.
• CAD/CAM, machining, and fabrication: Plan and perform CNC and conventional machining, fabrication, and assembly work: apply practical shop-floor knowledge to produce accurate, functional components.
• Engineering analysis and FEA: Apply engineering principles, calculations, and finite element analysis to evaluate designs and support sound technical decisions.
• Prototype and research support: Collaborate with students, faculty, and shop staff to develop, manufacture, troubleshoot, and improve prototypes, research equipment, and instructional projects.
• Laboratory operations: Support installation, maintenance, repair, improvement, and safe operation of equipment throughout departmental shops and laboratories.
• Instruction and student supervision: Provide technical guidance and hands-on training to students and student employees in design, manufacturing processes, and safe equipment use.
• Operational responsibilities: Assist with departmental inventory and work with shop staff to identify supply needs, assemble orders, and coordinate purchasing requests under the Senior Engineer/Shop Manager. Maintain appropriate records and organized work areas.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated practical engineering experience in mechanical design, troubleshooting, prototype development, or related technical work.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD, engineering drafting, production drawings, dimensional tolerancing, design for
• manufacturability, and CAM programming.
• Demonstrated hands-on shop-floor experience in machine setup and operation, manual and CNC machining, precision measurement, fabrication, and assembly; ability to produce accurate parts from engineering drawings.
• Working knowledge of finite element analysis (FEA), including model setup, loads, constraints, material
• properties, and results interpretation.
• Ability to apply sound engineering judgment, manage competing assignments, communicate clearly, document work, and follow safety requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required; three years professional work experience related to the specific assigned area.
• This position is designated as involving access to critical infrastructure systems and/or research, as defined by Texas Executive Order GA-48.
• As such, candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive background check prior to employment.
• Employees are required to comply with all applicable state and federal regulations related to the protection of critical infrastructure.

Ongoing employment is dependent upon maintaining eligibility for access and successfully passing periodic security and compliance reviews.

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical quality and accuracy; dependability and accountability; initiative and adaptability; planning and organization; clear communication and customer service; safety, policy compliance, and continued professional development.
• Advanced CAD/CAM, GDandT, and FEA experience using SolidWorks Simulation, ANSYS, or equivalent; CNC programming and process planning; welding, machining diverse materials, additive manufacturing, and laboratory equipment development or maintenance. Experience supporting academic research or instruction.

Safety Information

Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.

Pay Statement

Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan.

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.