Adaptive Structures Research Engineer: Prototyping

avav; Upper Valley Trailer Court (OH); On-site; USD 75,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AV, Inc. is seeking an entry level Research Engineer in Adaptive Structures to work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH.

The position involves designing, prototyping, and rigorously testing next-generation deployable structures, bridging theoretical kinematics and physical reality. In this role you will translate concepts into physical models, support experimental test campaigns, work with advanced composites and additive manufacturing materials, and instrument prototypes with

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required for government facility work.
• Advanced degree in a technical field preferred (MS/PhD or in defense-related research).
• Experience or coursework in additive manufacturing, composites, and computational modeling is valuable.
• Proficiency with technical computing languages (Python, Matlab, Julia) and strong communication skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Design and prototype conceptual kinematic and folding patterns into functional physical models.
• Support experimental test campaigns to evaluate deployment dynamics, repeatability and structural integrity.
• Work with advanced composites, additive manufacturing materials and flexible membranes to optimize packaging and strength-to-weight.
• Instrument prototypes with motion capture and strain sensors; analyze deployment data to validate finite element models.

Skills

Communication skills

Python

Matlab

Julia

Additive manufacturing

Composite layup

Computational modeling

Education

Advanced degree (MS/PhD)

Tools

Python

Job description

AV, Inc. is seeking an entry level Research Engineer in Adaptive Structures to work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH.

The position involves designing, prototyping, and rigorously testing next-generation deployable structures, bridging theoretical kinematics and physical reality. In this role you will translate concepts into physical models, support experimental test campaigns, work with advanced composites and additive manufacturing materials, and instrument prototypes with