Mechanical Engineer

MEA Energy; Atlantic City, Northern (NJ, KY); Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

SOC, a Day & Zimmermann company, seeks a Mechanical Engineer II for a DIRECT HIRE opportunity in Atlantic City, NJ, working hybrid. The role supports ARFF technology research, testing, and evaluation, developing test plans, data acquisition systems, and formal reports.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering (ABET) with 5+ years in R&D/testing, experience with SolidWorks, data analysis, and technical writing, and the ability to obtain a Public Trust Clearance.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited B.S. in Mechanical Engineering required.
• Minimum of 5 years in M.E. with R&D/testing experience.
• Experience executing test plans, collecting data, and reporting results.
• Strong grounding in mechanics, thermodynamics, fluids, heat transfer.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a research environment.
• SolidWorks or CAD experience; strong technical writing and communication.
• Willingness to travel 2–3 times per year; US citizenship with Public Trust eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering analysis to support ARFF research and testing.
• Plan and execute experiments involving fire testing and thermal systems.
• Develop test plans, instrumentation layouts, and data acquisition systems.
• Perform system analyses across mechanical, thermal, fluid, and structural domains.
• Collect, reduce, and analyze data; prepare technical reports for stakeholders.
• Develop cost estimates, schedules, and risk assessments for tasks.
• Troubleshoot test setups, instrumentation, and facilities.
• Support fabrication, installation, and validation of test articles.
• Manage project tasks with minimal supervision and timely deliverables.
• Present findings to internal teams and government clients; ensure safety compliance.

Skills

Communication skills

Data analysis

Technical writing

Independent work

Education

ABET-accredited Mechanical Engineering degree

Tools

SolidWorks

CAD tools

LabVIEW

CFD tools

Data acquisition

Job description

Mechanical Engineer II needed for a DIRECT HIRE opportunity with SOC’s client to work hybrid in Atlantic City, NJ.

Must have ability to obtain a Public Trust Clearance

This position will provide engineering expertise in support of research, testing, and evaluation of ARFF technologies and systems.

The Mechanical Engineer II will apply engineering principles, system analysis, and problem-solving skills to meet program objectives across multiple ARFF research areas. This individual will independently execute and lead research and development efforts, including the development of test plans, experimental setups, data collection systems, technical analyses, and formal reports.

The ideal candidate will have a strong Mechanical Engineering background with hands-on research and development, testing, data analysis, and technical writing experience. Experience with fire research, fire testing, or firefighting is highly desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering expertise, principles, and analysis to support ARFF research, testing, and operational activities.
• Plan, design, and execute experiments involving fire testing, thermal systems, fluid flow, and mechanical systems.
• Develop detailed test plans, engineering drawings, instrumentation layouts, and data acquisition systems.
• Conduct system analysis, including evaluation of mechanical, thermal, fluid, and structural systems using engineering tools and methods.
• Perform data collection, reduction, and analysis to support research findings and technical conclusions.
• Develop cost estimates, schedules, risk assessments, and logistics plans for assigned tasks and projects.
• Identify and troubleshoot technical issues related to test setups, instrumentation, equipment, and facility systems.
• Support fabrication, installation, and validation of test articles, instrumentation, and experimental systems.
• Manage and organize project tasks to ensure timely and accurate completion of deliverables with minimal day-to-day supervision.
• Prepare technical reports, research summaries, test documentation, and formal deliverables for internal and FAA stakeholders.
• Present technical information, research findings, and recommendations to internal teams, management, and government clients.
• Maintain compliance with safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements during all research and testing activities.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited degree program. This is a required qualification; other engineering degree disciplines will not meet the requirement.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant Mechanical Engineering experience, including experience within research and development, testing, research, or similar engineering environments.
• Experience developing and executing test plans, conducting research and testing, collecting and analyzing data, and documenting technical results.
• Demonstrated ability to apply engineering principles including mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and materials science to solve technical problems.
• Experience planning and executing engineering projects involving research, system design, testing, and analysis.
• Experience developing engineering plans, cost estimates, schedules, and risk mitigation approaches.
• Experience with data collection systems, instrumentation, and engineering analysis tools.
• Experience with SolidWorks and/or other CAD applications.
• Strong technical writing skills with experience developing formal engineering reports, research findings, test documentation, and presentations.
• Proven ability to perform technical work independently and deliver complete and timely results with minimal supervision.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities within a dynamic research and testing environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in outdoor conditions and fire-testing environments while utilizing required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to travel occasionally, approximately 2–3 times per year.
• Sole U.S. citizenship required, with eligibility and willingness to obtain and maintain a Public Trust Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF), fire testing, fire protection, or fire-related research programs.
• Experience with fire testing or evaluation of firefighting agents and tactics.
• Firefighting training, volunteer firefighting, or operational firefighting experience.
• ARFF, Firefighter I/II, or similar firefighting training or certification.
• Experience with computational modeling tools such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
• Experience designing and implementing data acquisition and control systems, including LabVIEW or similar tools.
• Experience with fabrication, mechanical system integration, or instrumentation installation.
• Experience working in hazardous, industrial, laboratory, or testing environments.
• Familiarity with FAA research programs, aviation safety testing, or aviation-related research environments.

Employment Prerequisites

The following requirements must be met to be eligible for this position: successful completion of a background investigation and drug urinalysis.

Estimated Min Rate: $71,000/annual

Estimated Max Rate: $101,600/annual

Note: Any pay ranges displayed are estimations, which may have been provided by job boards. Actual pay is determined by an applicant’s experience, technical expertise, and other qualifications as listed in the job description. All qualified applicants are welcome to apply.

SOC, a Day & Zimmermann company, is an Equal Opportunity Employer, EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability.