Demo

Senior Mechanical Engineer

ARA
Alexandria, VA Full Time
POSTED ON 6/6/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 7/12/2026
The Capabilities, Analysis and Development (CAD) division of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) has an outstanding opportunity for an exceptional Senior Mechanical Engineer to support on-going research and development efforts and develop new business in technologies for functional characterization of WMD facilities and their associated design. Are you a mechanical engineer virtuoso with a passion for engineering the world? Join us as a Senior Mechanical Engineer and become a key player in characterizing large-scale and small-scale mechanical, commercial, and institutional projects? If you thrive on tackling complex challenges and driving innovation in reverse engineering mechanical processes, this is the opportunity you've been waiting for.

The Successful Candidate Will

  • Innovative Design and Development:
    • Characterize the structure and operation of WMD facilities, some of which are clandestine.
    • Conduct reverse engineering.
    • Engineer precise load calculations, system sizing, and performance predictions.
    • Create and refine detailed technical drawings and schematics.
  • Dynamic Project Management:
    • Spearhead projects from vision to reality, delivering on time and within budget.
    • Collaborate seamlessly with project managers, architects, and contractors.
    • Present compelling project reports and updates to stakeholders.
  • Cutting-Edge System Analysis and Optimization:
    • Dive deep into mechanical engineering analysis to uncover fault exploitation opportunities.
    • Advance reverse engineering capabilities.
  • Inspiring Leadership and Development:
    • Mentor and inspire junior engineers and technicians.
    • Foster a collaborative, innovative, and continuous learning environment.
    • Stay ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies.
Required Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or similar
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively within or lead a team of peers, as well as excellent interpersonal and communications skills
  • Ability to communicate highly technical analyses at a level comprehensible to laymen and senior-level government representatives
  • Must be a US Citizen
  • Ability to clearly express in writing technical analysis results
  • 6-8 years of experience in solving DoD or Industry mechanical engineering problems
  • Practical experience in mechanical engineering
  • Research and Development of new tools and methodologies to understand and reverse engineer processes and support systems at remote WMD-related facilities
  • TS clearance

Desired Qualifications

  • 10 years of experience in solving DoD engineering/science problems
  • TS clearance with eligibility for SCI based on single-scope background investigation
  • Military or defense-related experience and an understanding of operational planning and functional defeat of hard targets and underground facilities

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 1200 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.

Please apply at www.careers.ara.com for the Senior Mechanical Engineer position.

Salary.com Estimation for Senior Mechanical Engineer in Alexandria, VA
$121,838 to $145,993
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