Company Profile
Southwest Research Institute
Company Overview
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is one of the oldest and largest independent, nonprofit, applied research and development (R&D) organizations in the United States. Founded in 1947, SwRI provides contract research and development services to industrial and government clients in the United States and abroad. The Institute is governed by a board of directors, which is advised by approximately 100 trustees.
SwRI offers multidisciplinary, problem-solving services in a variety of areas in engineering and the physical sciences. Historically, more than 6,500 projects are open at the Institute at any one time. These projects are funded almost equally between the government and commercial sectors. SwRI’s total revenue for fiscal year 2016 was $559 million. In 2016, SwRI managed more than 106 projects with expenditures of more than $7.4 million to its internally sponsored R&D program, which is designed to encourage new ideas and innovative technologies.
SwRI’s headquarters occupies more than 2 million square feet of office and laboratory space on more than 1,200 acres in San Antonio. The Institute has technical offices and laboratories in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Beijing, China; Boulder, Colo.; Hill Air Force Base (Ogden), Utah; Hanover and Rockville, Md.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Warner Robins, Ga.; and Durham, N.H.
The Institute has 10 technical divisions cooperating in multidisciplinary approaches to problem-solving. A partial listing of research areas includes:
advanced electronics
aircraft structural integrity
antennas
radio wave propagation and electromagnetic modeling
automation, robotics, and intelligent systems
automotive engineering
avionics and support systems
ballistics and explosion hazards
bioengineering, biomechanics and biomaterials
chemistry and chemical engineering
communications systems and signal processing
corrosion and electrochemistry
cyber security and information assurance
defense and intelligence solutions
Earth and planetary sciences
engineering mechanics
environmental and health sciences
fire technology
fluid systems and fluid machinery
fracture mechanics
fuels and lubricants
geochemistry and radiochemistry
geological and mining engineering
geophysical and geological investigations
hydrology and geohydrology
information and electronic warfare
intelligent transportation systems and vehicles
internal combustion engine emissions research
manufacturing technology
marine technology
materials sciences
medical information systems
modeling and simulation
nondestructive evaluation
oil and gas exploration and development
optics and sensor technology
penetration and armor mechanics
pipeline technology
probabilistic mechanics and uncertainty quantification
risk and hazard assessment
signal exploitation and geolocation
software engineering
space science
space instrumentation and spacecraft systems
structural engineering
surface modification and coatings
surveillance technology, training systems and simulators
unmanned aerial vehicles and systems
vehicle, engine and powertrain design, research and development
Thomas Baker Slick Jr., an oilman-rancher-philanthropist, founded SwRI. Slick's vision of an internationally known scientific research center in San Antonio, took root with his donation of a ranchland site west of the city – where Institute operations are still carried out. Slick challenged a group of pioneer scientists and engineers from around the nation to move to the new center to seek revolutionary advancements in many areas by developing and applying technology.
Company History
Almost 70 years ago, a group of Texas citizens led by Thomas Baker Slick Jr. envisioned Southwest Research Institute. It was their concept that the betterment of mankind depended on the use of advanced science and technology. Their dream of building an internationally respected institution working in these areas has, I believe, been more than realized.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
Southwest Research Institute has earned 41 R&D 100 awards since 1971. Each year R&D Magazine recognizes developments regarded as among the 100 most significant technical accomplishments. The Chicago Tribune dubbed the program “the Oscars of Invention.”
Benefits
Competitive salaries
Medical, dental, and vision care plans
Ten paid holidays
Retirement plan and benefits
Fitness facilities and trainers
Aerobics classes
Credit union
Dining services
Discount tickets and merchandise
Travel agency
Family picnics and other social activities