Senior Mechanical Engineer

Technology Innovation Institute (TII) is a publicly funded research institute, based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It is home to a diverse community of leading scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and researchers from across the globe, transforming problems and roadblocks into pioneering research and technology prototypes that help move society ahead.

At TII, we help society to overcome its biggest hurdles through a rigorous approach to scientific discovery and inquiry, using state‑of‑the‑art facilities and collaboration with leading international institutions. Our rigorous discovery and inquiry‑based approach helps to forge new and disruptive breakthroughs in advanced materials, autonomous robotics, cryptography, cyber security, directed energy, quantum computing, and secure systems.

Directed‑energy systems, such as microwave, laser, and acoustics represent a powerful emerging technology with new industrial and medical applications.

Our Directed‑Energy Research Center’s priorities include:

• Innovative high‑energy laser systems
• Advanced acoustic technologies
• Pulsed power technologies
• Particle beams and plasma physics
• Antennas and metamaterials
• Radar and remote‑sensing technologies

The Directed Energy Research Center is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to design, integrate, and support precision optomechanical and laser systems for research prototypes and experimental platforms. The role is hands‑on and collaborative, involving close coordination with optics, laser, electronics, and system engineers in coordination with the LMI Team leader.

The successful candidate will play a key role in designing mechanically stable, high‑precision structures and alignment mechanisms supporting experimental and field‑deployable laser systems. This is a hands‑on engineering role requiring strong expertise in optomechanical design, system integration, and collaboration across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

The position may involve short‑term international travel and participation in laboratory‑based integration, optical alignment, and indoor and outdoor testing activities.

The main responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Design precision optomechanical components, mounts, and mechanical assemblies.
• Develop mechanically stable structures for optical benches and laser systems.
• Support optical alignment, adjustment, and stabilization during integration activities.
• Apply GD&T, tolerance analysis, and precision machining principles in mechanical designs.
• Consider thermal expansion, vibration, and long‑term alignment stability in system development.
• Design and integrate mechanical subsystems for laboratory and field‑deployable laser platforms.
• Support prototype build‑up, testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting activities.
• Perform or support structural, thermal, and vibration assessments.
• Prepare manufacturing drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), and assembly documentation.
• Interface with machine shops, suppliers, and vendors for fabrication and procurement of precision components.
• Participate in design reviews, technical discussions, and continuous improvement activities.
• Collaborate closely with optics, laser, electronics, and systems engineers during system integration and testing.
• Support indoor and outdoor experimental campaigns and maintain laboratory infrastructure and mechanical systems.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• 5+ years’ experience in precision mechanical or optomechanical design.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (Solid Works, Creo, CATIA, or similar).
• Good understanding of optomechanical design and alignment concepts.
• Experience in precision mechanical design for scientific instrumentation, laser systems, aerospace, or high‑tech R&D environments.
• Knowledge of thermal management, structural analysis, material selection, and manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with machining tolerances, precision assembly techniques, and mechanical integration of sensitive optical systems.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary engineering teams in research or prototype‑development environments.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work independently in laboratory and experimental environments.
• Experience with opto‑mechanical system development and laser laboratory infrastructure.
• Familiarity with finite element analysis (FEA) tools such as ANSYS or COMSOL.
• Experience with environmental protection systems for field‑deployable platforms.
• Knowledge of vacuum systems, motion systems, or precision positioning stages.
• Familiarity with scientific instrumentation standards and laboratory safety procedures.

A good command of English, both written and spoken