Laser Lethality & Vulnerability Analysis Engineer

UIC Arctic Response Services, LLC; Dahlgren (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Bowhead is seeking an experienced Laser Lethality & Vulnerability Analysis Engineer to join the Navy weapons integration and assessment efforts. You will work in the analytical engine room of laser lethality studies, connecting physics, engineering, and real‑world threat understanding to inform operational effectiveness.

This position requires full onsite work at Bowhead offices or Navy installations with no remote option.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or closely related technical discipline
• Proficiency with 3D modeling and geometry development
• Strong analytical foundation in mechanics, materials, thermodynamics, and system modeling
• Proficiency in programming and scripting for modeling, data analysis, and simulation automation
• Ability to work independently and with government personnel and cross-functional teams
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools for documentation
• Experience with FMEA, FALT, TVC products
• Experience developing Vulnerability Modules for HEL systems
• Experience conducting engagement analysis with modeling tools
• Familiarity with vulnerability/lethality analysis frameworks or DoD processes
• Experience supporting classified programs or secure facilities

Responsibilities

• Analyze how High Energy Laser weapons can defeat other systems using high‑fidelity models
• Analyze weapon engagement kill mechanisms and energy deposition
• Characterize vulnerabilities and model system geometries for lethality assessments
• Perform time‑to‑kill and probability of kill analyses
• Support Navy weapons integration and assessment efforts
• Conduct additional technical duties as assigned
• Work onsite at Bowhead facilities or Navy installations

Skills

3D modeling

Programming

FMEA

TVC

System modeling

Data analysis

Survivability analysis

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering or Physics

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Overview

Laser Lethality & Vulnerability Analysis Engineer (DETO-2026-25746):

Bowhead seeks new team members in their support to the Navy’s Weapons Systems Munitions Integration and Hypersonic division. Join a mission‑driven team at the forefront of modern weapon system assessment. This role places you directly in the analytical engine room of laser lethality and survivability studies—where physics, engineering, and real‑world threat understanding converge. You won’t just model systems; you’ll help decode how weapons achieve kill, how targets respond, and what drives true operational effectiveness.

***This position will require full onsite work at the Bowhead office or Navy installation. No remote opportunity for this contract***

Responsibilities

Job duties to include but are not limited to:

• Analyze how High Energy Laser weapons can defeat other weapon systems with analytical and high‑fidelity models of material, subsystem and full up system response.
• Analyze weapon engagement kill mechanisms to understand how energy deposition, material response, and subsystem interactions drive mission‑level effects.
• Analyze the effects and logic of failures to understand system vulnerabilities and predict failure mechanisms.
• Characterize weapon system vulnerabilities.
• Model weapon system geometries to support high‑fidelity vulnerability and lethality assessments.
• Perform weapon engagement analyses to quantify time‑to‑kill and probability of kill.
• Perform additional technical duties as assigned in support of Navy weapons integration and assessment efforts.
• Other Duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Proficiency with 3D modeling and geometry development.
• Strong analytical foundation in mechanics, materials, thermodynamics, and system modeling.
• Proficiency in programming and scripting for modeling, data analysis, and simulation automation.
• Strong interpersonal skills and sound judgment, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively with government personnel, contractors, and cross‑functional engineering teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools for documentation and communication.
• Experience performing Failure Mode Effectiveness Analysis (FMEA), developing Failure Analysis Logic Trees (FALT), and generating Target Vulnerability Characterizations (TVC) products.
• Experience developing Vulnerability Modules (VMs), particularly for High Energy Laser (HEL) systems.
• Experience conducting engagement analysis, including generating TTK plots and Pk assessments using modeling and simulation tools.
• Familiarity with vulnerability/lethality analysis frameworks, survivability modeling, or DoD weapon system assessment processes.
• Experience supporting classified programs or working within secure facilities.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged amounts of time
• Must be able to twist, bend and squat periodically

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at the Secret level. US Citizenship is a requirement for Secret clearance at this location.