Mechanical Design Engineer

Gray Matter Research | Bozeman, Montana

About Gray Matter Research

For 20 years, Gray Matter Research has designed and built specialized equipment for neurophysiology laboratories, ranging from large equipment to complex, precision miniature instruments.

We are a small, profitable, founder-owned company that grew out of a neuroscience lab at Montana State University. Our work is highly specialized, hands-on, and technically varied, with products used by researchers around the world.

The Role

We are hiring a Mechanical Design Engineer to work closely on the design, customization, documentation, and release of our products.

You will work directly with customers, suppliers, fabricators, and our machine shop partner while gradually taking on greater responsibility for engineering projects and day-to-day technical work.

This is not a narrow design role. We are looking for someone who enjoys both engineering and the practical side of bringing a product to life: understanding a customer's need, developing a solution, creating manufacturable designs, solving problems during production, and supporting the finished product.

The person in this role will have the opportunity to learn the products and business while gradually taking on more responsibility and independence.  Over time, this position may grow into broader technical leadership, customer and vendor relationships, business responsibilities, and potentially an ownership opportunity.  What that path could look like will be discussed openly as the role develops.

Location: On-site, in person
619 N. Church Ave., Unit 1
Bozeman, MT 59715

Schedule: Salaried position, approximately 30 hours per week.

Reports to: Founder and Owner

What You Will Do

·         Design and customize products for individual customers, from initial quote through released drawings, bills of materials, and build instructions.

·         Develop precision mechanical parts and assemblies using SolidWorks.

·         Take projects from customer need through concept, design, prototype, production, and delivery.

·         Work hands-on with the products you design, including assembly, testing, prototyping, 3D printing, and occasional machining.

·         Turn repeat products into well-documented platforms using parametric CAD models, configurations, template drawings, and repeatable build documentation.

·         Help develop and launch new product lines from prototype through production.

·         Work closely with our machine shop partner and other suppliers on manufacturability, tolerances, quotes, lead times, and quality.

·         Communicate directly with customers to understand their technical needs and support equipment after delivery.

·         Improve engineering documentation, procedures, and design standards so critical company knowledge is captured and transferable.

·         Help guide interns, technicians, or junior engineers as appropriate.

·         Gradually take on more responsibilities, including quoting, project prioritization, vendor relationships, customer accounts, and technical decision-making.

Because we are a small company, everyone occasionally helps outside a narrowly defined job description. We value people who are comfortable pitching in when needed, but the primary focus of this position is engineering, product development, and technical problem-solving.

What We Are Looking For

·         Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.

·         Approximately 3–7 years of professional mechanical design or product-development experience. We are open to candidates outside this range when their experience is a strong fit.

·         Strong SolidWorks expertise, including parametric and configuration-driven modeling, surface modeling, and preparation of clear, machinist-ready drawings.

·         Strong understanding of GD&T, materials, fasteners, mechanisms, and precision mechanical design.

·         Practical design-for-manufacture experience, particularly with machined and assembled parts.

·         Experience working directly with machinists, fabricators, or manufacturing partners.

·         Experience taking products from concept through prototype and production.

·         Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.

·         Excellent fine motor skills and attention to detail for the assembly and testing of intricate miniature equipment.

·         Ability to move comfortably between custom one-off projects and standardized products.

·         Strong written and verbal communication skills.

·         Ability to document technical work clearly for customers, suppliers, and teammates.

·         Ability to take ownership of projects while also collaborating closely with the founder.

·         Interest in taking on greater technical and business responsibility over time.

Nice to Have

·         Experience with scientific instrumentation, laboratory equipment, medical devices, precision manufacturing, or other low-volume, high-mix products.

·         Experience with machining and 3D printing.

·         Experience with animal-research or biomedical equipment.

·         Curiosity about neuroscience and research applications.

·         Experience mentoring technicians, interns, or junior engineers.

·         Experience with MRI/CT-based modeling in tools such as 3D Slicer.

·         Exposure to quoting, pricing, or customer-facing technical sales.

·         Understanding of sterile technique and products used in surgical procedures.

·         Familiarity with basic electronics, PCB design, or MATLAB.

·         Interest in learning more about the business side of a small engineering company.

What We Offer

·         Salary: $64,000–$83,000 per year for 30 hours per week, depending on experience. This is equivalent to approximately $85,000–$110,000 annually on a full-time basis.

·         Flexible schedule: An approximately 30-hour workweek that allows room for life outside of work.

·         Room to grow: The opportunity to take on greater engineering, customer, and business responsibility as your experience with Gray Matter Research grows.

·         Long-term opportunity: For the right person, the role may eventually develop into technical leadership and potentially an ownership opportunity.

·         Real responsibility: You will make meaningful design decisions, work directly with customers, and have influence over existing and future product lines.

·         Interesting work: You will solve unusual engineering problems and see your designs move from concept to finished product.

·         Stability: A profitable company with a 20-year history.

·         Benefits: Two weeks of paid time off plus paid holidays, a SIMPLE IRA with a 3% employer match, and a flexible schedule.

·         We do not currently offer employer-sponsored health insurance.

We are especially interested in someone who wants more than a narrowly defined engineering position—someone who enjoys hands-on product development, is interested in understanding how a small technical business operates, and would like the opportunity to grow their responsibility over time.

If that sounds like the kind of engineering career you are looking for, we would like to hear from you.  Please email gmr@graymatter-research with your resume.