Staff FEA Engineer 1

The Southwest Division (SWD) of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Staff FEA Engineer to join our Concept Development Group (CDG) with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes such as ANSYS ®, LS-DYNA®, CFX ®, FLUENT ®.  You’ll be a part of a team that develops in-depth technical assessments, analysis and model creation for Department of Defense (DoD) weapon programs. The successful candidate will assist in the creation and analysis of high-fidelity simulations while creating customer facing briefings. The position requires technical support, documentation and presentation of the modeling and simulation outputs to the program team both internal and external.  

Responsibilities:

• Execute strategies for solving complex and nationally important problems with the assistance of senior engineers and independently
• Construct explicit finite element meshes and models
• Conduct finite element analyses of challenging dynamic structural problems that include contact, nonlinear material behavior and fracture using the explicit finite element code LS-DYNA
• Perform engineering analyses on a variety of projects and prepare supporting documentation detailing technical results
• Develop new material constitutive models for LS-DYNA based on available test data and engineering judgement
• Troubleshoot and develop solutions for modeling and simulation challenges for the team
• Develop data analysis techniques through development of appropriate codes/scripts
• Support, generate, and brief technical content in customer virtual and face-to-face meetings

Education and Security Requirements:

• B.S. in physics or engineering (mechanical, civil, or aerospace)
• GPA of at least 3.0 for all degrees earned
• Ability to obtain a security clearance, which includes US citizenship

Required Qualifications:

• US Citizenship
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a team of peers, as well as excellent interpersonal and communications skills.
• Ability to communicate technical analyses at a level comprehensible to laymen and senior-level government representatives.
• Ability to clearly express in writing technical analysis results and site characterizations.
• A high-level understanding of physical engineering principles; including mechanics of materials, structural dynamics, fluid dynamics, etc.
• Experience with CFD or FEA modeling software such as LS-DYNA, ANSYS, CFX, FLUENT.
• Practical experience in mechanical engineering, structural modeling, or fluid modeling.
• Proficient use of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

COMPANY INFORMATION:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2,300 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership fosters greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com.