Senior Mechanical Engineer 1 (Missile & Weapon Systems Focused)

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is looking for an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer to join our Concept Development Group (CDG), Southwest Division, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  CDG boasts a multidisciplinary team of engineers performing research, development, and analysis for concept and developmental weapon programs. You will be an important part of our product development team, where effective communication is critical. CDG creates designs for novel and legacy weapon systems for Department of Defense programs supporting our warfighters.  We offer a dynamic and challenging work environment that supports professional growth and development. This is not a teleworking position.

We're looking for a highly skilled and analytical Design Engineer with experience in Missile and Weapon System Components and Product development. If you have strong communication skills, proficiency in SOLIDWORKS, and MSOffice suite, and are comfortable with MATLAB and Excel, we encourage you to apply.

ARA’ Benefits Package Includes:   

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer matching contribution  
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan  
• Various insurance options including Flexible Spending Plan, Health Savings Account (HSA)  
• Paid leave and holidays.  

Essential Functions:

• Create technical designs that convert to drawings and 3D digital models of weapon systems, support equipment and other assorted weldments
• Verify system and subsystem level requirements, stack up and tolerance completion within designed systems
• Perform structural dynamic analyses for missile and weapon systems
• Produce and maintain models generated from both in-house and commercially available software codes, that simulate mechanical loading conditions, mechanism deployment motions, and the response behavior of missile
• Help coordinate test plans; static, separation dynamics, vibration, modal and shock test execution, and post-test reports.
• Will work on a multi-disciplined team performing structural design trades, preliminary and detailed design/analysis activity and performance and maintenance assessments of operational systems.
• Provide user documentation and recommendations to data packages to support peer and customer reviews, present analysis data to engineering teams, customer technical representatives, and Program Office personnel at technical interchange meetings and design reviews
• Mentor junior engineers and cross train other engineering fields.

Basic Qualifications:

• Advanced understanding of structures and structural dynamics either through education or work experience
• Proficiency in application of finite element analysis principles as well as rigid and flexible body parameters
• Knowledge of and applicable experience with missile and weapon system components
• Citizenship: all applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must be able to acquire and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Required Skills: 

• A Master's degree is strongly preferred for this position
• Generate mechanical solid models, fabrication/assembly drawings, BOMs, technical illustrations, mechanical schematics, and installation/integration instructions.
• Proficient with Solidworks or other similar CAD software
• Ability to work closely with a technical team to quickly generate new CAD concepts, refine ideas or modify models to meet customer demand
• Flexibility to work with CAD models created by other people, either customer or team members
• Development of analysis-only CAD models for structural, thermal, dynamic, and dimensional engineering analyses.
• Lead design decision efforts, including making recommendations for GD&T in accordance with ASME Y14.5
• Lead design decision making by interacting with colleagues and project leadership to present technical data packages, collaborate to make drafting decisions, and document comprehensive technical data packages in the form of 3D CAD models, and manufacturing/fabrication drawings.
• Lead reverse engineering activities by creating 3D CAD models and/or drawings from data that is extracted from legacy weapons, equipment and/or structures.
• Manage individual and drafting team work contributions under limited supervision.

 Additional Consideration for:

• Professional certification in mechanical drafting
• Familiarity with generation of mechanical drawings for complex machined parts
• Professional certification in Solidworks
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes and GD&T for non-metallic materials (G10, Carbon Fiber, Explosives, Reactive Materials)
• Advanced knowledge of GD&T in accordance with ASME Y14.5
• Familiarity with creation of drawings and schematics for electromechanical systems
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with PDM and Solidworks
• Demonstrated knowledge of CAD integration within Aras Innovator
• Strong understanding of aerospace and defense engineering principles, materials and manufacturing processes.

Company Details:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company known for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. We were founded in Albuquerque, NM in 1979 as the disco era was, thankfully, closing out and the personal computer era was beginning. We employ over 2,300 professionals and continue to grow. ARA offices throughout the U.S. and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, computer software, and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.

ARA takes pride in having a challenging culture where innovation & experimentation are the norm. At ARA, employees are our greatest assets, so we give our employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take active roles as owners. The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. The company realizes employee ownership spawn’s greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities