R&D Mechanical Engineer

Staff R&D Mechanical Engineer

Houston,
TX77029

Posted: 10/14/2026

Employment Type:

Permanent
Category:
Engineering Job Number: 30140

Pay Rate: $135,000 - $140,000 Annually Work Setting:
Hybrid

Job Description

Title:

Staff R&D Mechanical Engineer

Location:

Houston, TX (Hybrid | Onsite 4 days per week, can pick work from home day)
Job Type: Permanent
Compensation: $135,000 - $140,000 plus 5% bonus Annually
Industry: Electrical Manufacturing
--
- About the Role
Our client, a global leader in electrical connection, protection, and infrastructure solutions, is seeking a Staff R&D Mechanical Engineer to join their product development team in Houston, Texas. This organization designs innovative products that help protect critical equipment, facilities, and industrial processes across a wide range of industries worldwide.
In this senior-level engineering role, you will lead the development of new products and technologies with a strong emphasis on mechanical design, non-metallic materials, and product innovation. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams throughout the product development lifecycle, helping drive projects from concept through validation, certification, and commercialization. This position offers the opportunity to influence product strategy, support technology roadmaps, and contribute to a culture focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
Travel:
Up to 10% domestic travel.

Job Description
As a Staff R&D Mechanical Engineer, you will play a critical role in developing innovative products that support critical electrical infrastructure and industrial applications. This position combines technical leadership, hands-on engineering, and cross-functional collaboration to bring new products from concept to commercialization. Working closely with global engineering, manufacturing, quality, compliance, and product management teams, you will drive product innovation, validate performance, optimize manufacturability, and help shape future technology strategies that enhance product reliability, quality, and customer value.

Participate in global product development teams, working closely with manufacturing engineering, supply chain, quality, compliance, and product management stakeholders.
Lead and support prototype development, testing activities, and external certification efforts, including hands-on engineering support when necessary.
Guide engineering simulations and analyses, including FEA and FMEA, to validate product performance, reliability, and design effectiveness.
Define and coordinate validation plans, laboratory testing, and performance evaluations.
Collaborate with internal and external fabrication partners to develop practical, scalable, and cost-effective manufacturing processes.
Design, develop, and improve both new and existing products in alignment with business and product development strategies.
Establish engineering best practices and design standards that optimize performance, quality, reliability, manufacturability, and cost.
Support continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to technology development across multiple teams and functions.
Serve as a subject matter expert for product technologies, supporting product portfolio planning and long-term technology roadmaps.
Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards, certifications, and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, a related engineering discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
8+ years of mechanical design experience, preferably supporting new product introduction (NPI) and product development initiatives.
Strong experience working with non-metallic materials and components.
Demonstrated knowledge of polymer and non-metallic material behavior, including:
Thermoformed components

Elastomeric seals and gaskets

Fiber-reinforced and composite materials
Experience selecting materials based on:
Mechanical performance requirements

Environmental exposure conditions

Flammability considerations

Chemical resistance

UV exposure and aging characteristics
Understanding of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles for plastic components, including:
Draft angles

Wall thickness requirements

Ribbing design

Tolerancing practices

Tooling tradeoffs
Familiarity with manufacturing processes for non-metallic products, including molding, extrusion, bonding, over-molding, and assembly operations.
Experience navigating applicable…