R&D Mechanical Engineer - 8083988
Company: Orion Talent
Job Ref: # 8083988
Date Posted: 10/16/2025 12:00:00 AM
City, State: Williamsburg, Virginia
Description
Go to end ⇓R&D (Mechanical) Engineer
WHAT A TYPICAL DAY LOOKS LIKE: As an R&D (Mechanical) Engineer, you’ll play a key role in the research, design, and development of innovative products and technologies. You will collaborate closely with engineering teams, product managers, manufacturing, sales, and customers to define product requirements, evaluate design concepts, and develop prototypes that push the boundaries of performance, cost, and manufacturability. You will thrive in a fast-paced environment focused on ideation, iteration, and hands-on development.
R&D ENGINEER RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define product requirements, explore new concepts, and assess feasibility of new technologies.
- Lead or support research efforts focused on new product platforms, materials, and technologies related to power distribution systems.
- Use CAD software such as Autodesk Inventor and/or SolidWorks to generate detailed models, rapid prototypes, and production-ready documentation.
- Create and validate design concepts through simulations, prototyping, lab testing, and analysis.
- Develop test plans, perform design validation, and analyze data to drive design improvements.
- Participate in brainstorming sessions, technical reviews, and innovation workshops to generate and refine new ideas.
- Work closely with suppliers, manufacturing, and quality teams to assess DFM (Design for Manufacturability) and DFT (Design for Test) considerations early in development.
- Identify and resolve design challenges quickly, iterate based on feedback, and document all R&D findings thoroughly.
- Help evaluate materials, components, and emerging technologies that could improve product performance, cost, or lifecycle.
- Support early-stage product trials, pilot builds, and field-testing initiatives.
- Ensure all new designs meet applicable standards, regulatory requirements (e.g., UL, ETL), and customer expectations.
- Manage design changes, version control, and risk assessments through a formal R&D change process.
- May require occasional travel for supplier visits, field testing, or collaboration with customers and partners.
THE EXPERIENCE WE’RE LOOKING TO ADD TO THE TEAM:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering field from an ABET-accredited program.
- 2–5 years of experience in R&D, new product development, or applied mechanical design—preferably within power distribution or electrical systems.
- Familiarity with relevant standards: UL 891, UL 1558, UL 67, UL 857, UL 1008, and/or UL 62368/60950 is a strong plus.
- Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (Inventor, SolidWorks), PLM systems (e.g., Vault), and engineering documentation tools.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to apply engineering fundamentals to open-ended design problems.
- Hands-on experience with prototyping methods, lab testing, failure analysis, and continuous improvement.
- A passion for innovation, curiosity, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team.
WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE FOR THE GREAT WORK YOU PROVIDE:
- Full range of medical benefits, dental, vision
- Life Insurance
- Matching 401K
- Paid Time Off
- Opportunity to drive innovation in critical power systems and make a tangible impact on next-generation products