Mechanical Engineering GRA –Spring 2026 - ATAS

Job Description

The Mechanical Engineering group within the Aerospace, Transportation, and Advanced Systems Laboratory (ATAS) seeks a Graduate Research Assistant with interests in mechanical design and development and working on large-scale mechanical prototypes. Graduate Research Assistant will start Spring 2026. Students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the following areas:

• Designing, developing, and documenting designs for use in DOD applications.
• Mechanical design & analysis
• Machining, 3D-Printing, sheet metal bending, and other manufacturing processes.
• Building assemblies and integrating subsystems.
• Part finishing processes (conversion coating, anodizing, painting, etc.)
• Student will use SolidWorks and other design tools to create parts, assemblies, and drawings.
• Develop hands-on engineering skills while helping the team coordinate assembly and testing of large prototype systems.
• Tolerance Analysis
• Logistical Support

Required Minimum Qualifications

Graduate Research Assistant

• Pursuing a Master’s degree or PhD at Georgia Tech in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• Must be enrolled full-time (12+ credit hours)
• Must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA
• Commit to 15-20 hours of work per week

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using SolidWorks
• Strong math skills and ability to learn complex engineering concepts
• Some hands-on/fabrication experience
• Configuration management tools
• Ability to clearly communicate technical ideas and concepts
• Experience building Interferometers or similar OPL measurement devices

Hours per Week

20 hours per week

U.S. Citizenship Requirements

Due to our research contracts with the US federal government, candidates for this position are required to be US Citizens.

Clearance Type Required

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.

Housing and Relocation

Housing and relocation assistance are not available for this position.

Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) at Georgia Tech Research Institute aims to enhance the Institute’s mission of solving the world’s most complex technical problems by creating a workforce with a shared appreciation for diversity, raising awareness around inclusiveness, and fostering a sense of belonging and appreciation for all members of our community.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Georgia Tech Research Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and actively seeks diversity among its employees. Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law.