Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA), Southwest Division (SWD) is looking for an experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer – Missile Design 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.  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.

We're looking for a highly skilled and analytical Senior Mechanical Engineer with experience in Missile and Weapon System development and All Up Round (AUR) missile system integration. If you have strong communication skills, proficiency in SOLIDWORKS, ability to develop and analyze results from finite element models, familiarity working in a Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) development environment or are comfortable with MATLAB and the MSOffice suite 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:

Design and develop mechanical components and assemblies for weapons systems Experience with detailed Finite Element Models (LS-DYNA, Abaqus, NASTRAN, etc.) Verify system and subsystem level requirements 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 a missile Coordinate test plans; static, separation dynamics, vibration, modal and shock test execution, and post-test reports. You will be an important part of our product development team, where effective communication is critical. 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 Conduct simulation-based design, including structural, thermal or modal evaluations in collaboration with our FEA analysis team Knowledge of and applicable experience with missile and weapon system components U.S. 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: 

Bachelor’s degree with 8-10 years’ experience or Master’s degree with 6-8 years’ experience Ability to work in a collaborative and highly integrated team environment Ability and desire to assume ownership of tasks and drive to closure quickly and efficiently Experience evaluating designs using rigid body or flexible body analysis methods and tools Mechanisms, antenna, electronic component, ground support, hoisting, and test support equipment, and composite materials analysis experience Experience with LS-Dyna, (or similar), MATLAB and PLM System preferred Experience working within aPLM System Static, vibration, acoustic, modal, shock test experience of aerospace flight hardware Creativity/innovation to tackle issues related to anomalous performance of any aspect of a mechanical system Active SECRET Clearance and ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance