Mechanical Materials & Process Engineer

ARA Career; Lafayette (LA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. in Lafayette, CO seeks a seasoned Mechanical Materials & Process Engineer to design interfaces and structures, develop manufacturing processes, and guide fabricators for production-level RF hardware.

A 4-year engineering degree and DoD secret clearance are required, with 15+ years in aerospace/defense preferred. The role focuses on materials selection, environmental robustness, and integration of mechanical, electrical, and thermal components for MIL-STD

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of acceptable materials and processes needed to meet MIL-STD quality hardware.
• Creative mechanical designer and problem solver with cradle to grave product experience.
• Mechanically inclined, knowledgeable of materials, hands on, and able to guide through clear verbal and written communication, and by working directly with fabricators.
• Must possess a 4-year college degree in mechanical, materials, or manufacturing related engineering.
• Must have, or be able to obtain, a DoD secret level security clearance.
• Fifteen-plus (15+) years of experience in the aerospace/defense industry with a portfolio of successfully fielded products.
• Direct RF hardware experience with antennas, radomes, circuits, and/or RF/EM materials.
• Advanced graduate level engineering degree in mechanical, materials, or manufacturing related engineering.
• Hands on machining, metal working, bonding, soldering, welding, and screen-printing.
• In depth knowledge of quality management system procedures and operations.

Responsibilities

• Design interfaces, housings, and structures to integrate/support electrical and mechanical components (physical mounts, structural frameworks, fairings, molds, RF, AC/DC power, and cooling equipment enclosures, control/monitor panels, connectors/wiring/cabling).
• Apply and develop as necessary, manufacturing processes to produce repeatable high-quality parts (machined and shaped metals, epoxy/fabric composites, circuit board population, screen printed specialized inks, wire/cable harnesses).
• Provide materials selection and integration methods to ensure production of robust hardware that meets demanding environmental conditions (thermal, vibration, shock, moisture, corrosion per MIL-STD requirements).

Skills

Materials knowledge

Mechanical design

Cradle to grave product experience

Fabrication collaboration

Education

4-year engineering degree in mechanical/ materials/ manufacturing

Job description

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Mechanical Materials & Process Engineer

• Posted on November 12, 2026

Locations

Showing 1 location

Lafayette, CO 80026, USA

• On-site
• Manufacturing
• Full-Time
• Requisition #: MECHA010239

Description

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA), Applied Electromagnetics Division (AED) in Lafayette, CO seeks a seasoned Mechanical Materials & Process Engineer. This position is an excellent opportunity to apply extensive design and fabrication expertise to solve difficult problems associated with RF hardware including antennas and support equipment. This is an engineering development position where the candidate will generate drawing packages and solid models, formulate manufacturing processes, instruct internal/external teams of fabricators, and package electrical, mechanical, structural, and thermal components and equipment to support the design, materials, and manufacture of production level hardware. Our products employ a range of components, subassemblies, and subsystems requiring mechanical interfaces/assemblies, composite fabric/epoxy parts, printed circuit boards, and their integration. A candidate experienced in aerospace hardware production and fielding with broad theoretical and hands‑on knowledge of components and processes that meet MIL-STD requirements is needed. This position requires a 4-year engineering degree and a security clearance, with 15+ years’ experience a PLUS.

What you’ll do as a Mechanical Materials and Process Engineer:

• Design interfaces, housings, and structures to integrate/support electrical and mechanical components (physical mounts, structural frameworks, fairings, molds, RF, AC/DC power, and cooling equipment enclosures, control/monitor panels, connectors/wiring/cabling).
• Apply and develop as necessary, manufacturing processes to produce repeatable high-quality parts (machined and shaped metals, epoxy/fabric composites, circuit board population, screen printed specialized inks, wire/cable harnesses).
• Provide materials selection and integration methods to ensure production of robust hardware that meets demanding environmental conditions (thermal, vibration, shock, moisture, corrosion per MIL-STD requirements).

Requirements for a Mechanical Materials and Process Engineer:

• Extensive knowledge of acceptable materials and processes needed to meet MIL-STD quality hardware.
• Creative mechanical designer and problem solver with cradle to grave product experience.
• Mechanically inclined, knowledgeable of materials, hands on, and able to not only guide through clear verbal and written communication, but also by working directly with fabricators.
• Must possess a 4-year college degree in mechanical, materials, or manufacturing related engineering.
• Must have, or be able to obtain, a DoD secret level security clearance.

Preferences for a Mechanical Materials and Process Engineer:

• Fifteen-plus (15+) years of experience in the aerospace/defense industry with a portfolio of successfully fielded products a PLUS
• Direct RF hardware experience with antennas, radomes, circuits, and/or RF/EM materials a PLUS
• Advanced graduate level engineering degree in mechanical, materials, or manufacturing related engineering a PLUS
• Hands on machining, metal working, bonding, soldering, welding, and screen-printing a PLUS
• In depth knowledge of quality management system procedures and operations a PLUS

For best consideration, please apply by January 12, 2027.

Pay Ranges: $100,000 to $130,000 USD per year based on years of experience, degree and any special skills and knowledge that they may bring to the position. ARA offers competitive benefits that address our employees’ needs now and in the future. Learn more about each of our benefits at https://www.ara.com/benefits/

Company & Division Information

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2,200 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership spawns’ greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com .

Qualifications

Behaviors

Required

Team Player : Works well as a member of a group

Leader : Inspires teammates to follow them

Detail Oriented : Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Dedicated : Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Motivations

Required

Self-Starter : Inspired to perform without outside help

Growth Opportunities : Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility

Flexibility : Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals

Ability to Make an Impact : Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Mechanical Engineering or related field.

Experience

Preferred

15 years: Aerospace/Defense Industry Experience

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.