What are the responsibilities and job description for the Weapons Systems Engineer position at ARA Brand?
Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA), Southwest Division (SWD) is looking for an experienced Weapons Systems Engineer to join our Concept Development Group (CDG), located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. CDG boasts a multidisciplinary team of engineers performing research, development, and analysis and test for developmental weapon programs. The Weapons/Munitions Systems Engineer provides technical support for Department of War programs, ensuring weapons and munitions systems are effectively designed, integrated, tested, and fielded. This role works closely with program managers and prime contractors to evaluate technical solutions, manage risk, and support milestone decisions. The position blends in‑office program execution with travel to support test and integration activities. An ideal candidate is a technically strong, mission-focused engineer who can translate complex weapons system details into clear, actionable guidance for program leadership while collaborating effectively across government and industry teams.
What you’ll do as a Weapons Systems Engineer
- Provide subject matter expertise in weapons and munitions Systems Engineering to support a team, working day-to-day with Program Managers, Lead Engineers, and functional leads.
- Support requirements development, trade studies, system architecture, and interface definition for weapons and munitions across the system life cycle (development, integration, test, fielding, and sustainment).
- Review and assess contractor technical data, designs, analyses, and test plans to ensure compliance with system requirements, safety standards, and government intent.
- Engage with prime contractors and government stakeholders during technical interchange meetings, design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR), and working groups to resolve technical issues and risks.
- Support weapons and munitions integration activities, including platform interfaces, stores compatibility, employment concepts, and certification considerations.
- Participate in developmental and operational test planning and execution, including travel to test sites, range activities, and post‑test analysis and reporting.
- Identify technical risks, assess impacts to cost/schedule/performance, and provide actionable recommendations to the government team to inform program decisions.
Weapons System Engineer Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or related discipline).
- 7-9 Years Experience supporting DoD or Army or Air Force weapons, munitions, or stores integration programs.
- Working knowledge of Systems Engineering principles, requirements management, risk management, and technical reviews.
- Ability to analyze contractor technical products and communicate findings clearly to government stakeholders.
- Willingness and ability to travel in support of test and program activities.
- Active Secret clearance, with ability to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret clearance.
- Ability to perform requirements identification, analysis, documentation, and tracking
- Ability to analyze customer needs and turn them into system requirements
- Ability to work with customers in a test environment
- Ability to develop improved methods to increase program efficiency
- Team player with a proactive attitude
- Strong oral and written communications skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct experience supporting DOW programs
- Familiarity with weapons certification, airworthiness, safety, and/or MIL-STD compliance processes.
- Experience with developmental and operational test planning and execution.
- Knowledge of DoD acquisition processes, life-cycle management, and risk management practices.
- Previous experience working with major defense prime contractors on weapons or munitions programs.
- Active Top-Secret clearance or experience working in SCI/SAP environments.
- Demonstrated ability to independently execute technical tasks while effectively supporting Government-led teams in a collaborative role.
- Ability to use statistical analysis methods and tools
- Knowledge of Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and practices
Company & Division 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 2,200 employee-owners and continues to grow. 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 spawns 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 contributions 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 apply at careers.ara.com.