Lead Test Engineer – Weapons Effects & Field Programs

Applied Research Associates, Inc.; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 125,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Principal Investigator/ Test Lead to guide penetrating weapons test programs at DoD facilities, including White Sands and Kirtland AFB.

The role demands travel, strong leadership, and collaboration with engineers, scientists, and technicians. You will oversee test preparation, data collection, and post-test documentation while solving real-time engineering challenges and presenting results to customers.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizen with ability to obtain a DoD security clearance.
• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related engineering field; or BS in Physics or other hard science with strong applied engineering skillset.
• 7–9 years of engineering work experience with a BS; or 5–7 years with an MS; or 2–5 years with a PhD.
• Broad technical engineering/science capabilities.
• Experience leading field test programs or other operational programs.
• Technical leadership experience.
• Project management experience.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to work well within a team and independently.

Responsibilities

• Lead and ensure successful execution of penetrating weapons experiments at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), Kirtland AFB, or other CONUS locations.
• Travel is required, typically to WSMR located 2.5 hrs from Albuquerque.
• Lead test event preparation, execution, data collection, and post-test documentation.
• Perform real-time engineering problem solving on the test bed to generate actionable solutions.
• Analyze data and oversee teams analyzing data collected in the field. Develop applied solutions to complex technical problems.
• Author technical reports and briefings, and present results to our customers.
• Represent ARA as the prime customer contact on projects and interact with senior customer personnel.
• Lead technical collaboration within your test team, with other groups within TTD and across ARA.
• Project management including scheduling and budgeting for test events.
• Participate in and lead business development efforts to expand existing work and grow new work within TTD.
• Coordinate and provide mentoring opportunities for junior staff to grow their technical expertise.

Skills

Technical leadership

Project management

Strong communication skills

Teamwork & independence

Education

BS in Mechanical or Civil Eng or related field

BS in Physics or related hard science with applied engineering

MS in related field

PhD

Job description

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Principal Investigator/ Test Lead to guide penetrating weapons test programs at DoD facilities, including White Sands and Kirtland AFB.

The role demands travel, strong leadership, and collaboration with engineers, scientists, and technicians. You will oversee test preparation, data collection, and post-test documentation while solving real-time engineering challenges and presenting results to customers.