Senior Mechanical Engineer

ARA Brand; Indian Head (MD); On-site; USD 135,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. in Maryland’s Indian Head area seeks a Mechanical Engineer to join our team and oversee SOP validation, hazard analyses, and process safety compliance for complex defense-related manufacturing.

The Senior Engineer will mentor multi-disciplinary teams and coordinate with government agencies, contractors, and vendors onsite. The role requires US citizenship, the ability to obtain an Interim Secret clearance, and permanent onsite work in a high-activity

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field with 8–10 years of experience, or a Master’s with 6–8 years.
• U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain a security clearance.
• Experience with process safety, material handling, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for safe, cost-effective manufacturing in complex production environments for federal defense clients.
• Understand design requirements for process and facility design to install new manufacturing processes.
• Apply analytical techniques to support process development, troubleshooting, and optimization.
• Oversee project execution with planning, scheduling, and procurement aligned to specifications.
• Collaborate with vendors and subcontractors on design, fabrication, and testing requirements.
• Develop goals with project managers and lead regular client meetings to discuss progress.
• Implement safety and quality programs, ensuring compliance with terms and standards.
• Produce process design documentation, including SOPs, process narratives, and BOMs.
• Provide input on facility design and safety regulations for complex manufacturing facilities.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field

Master's degree

Job description

ARA's team solves problems related to national defense and security. We are actively searching for a Mechanical Engineer to join our team. The Senior Engineer will review Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for compliance and provide oversight of the validation of said SOPs. Perform Hazards Analysis for various processes which includes identification and mitigation of hazards. Review and provide feedback on Process Safety Management submittals documentation. Review and provide feedback on tooling and accompanying drawings. Provide technical support and advice to additional processes.

Work Environment Details: The duties of this role must be performed entirely onsite within a high-activity environment that features standard industrial/office lighting and ambient noise. Because continuous proximity to the team and operations is an essential function of the position, certain workspace modifications- such as isolating the worker in a quiet, dimly lit, or entirely private office cannot be accommodated while fulfilling the core responsibilities of this role.

Employment is contingent upon the successful attainment of at least an Interim Secret clearance, granted by the sponsoring agency.

Due to the nature of this work, candidates for this position must be US citizens residing within the US. This position is located at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head and will require you to be onsite. This position does not allow for a remote or hybrid work schedule.

Requirements of a Mechanical Engineer

• • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related scientific field with 8-10 years of related work experience, or a Master's with 6-8 years of experience.
  • U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain a security clearance.
  • Proven proficiency in a range of analytical and technical skills for the synthesis, monitoring, and scaling of energetic materials.
  • Demonstrated experience managing multiple, complex projects, including the integration and coordination of diverse stakeholders such as government agencies, contractors, and vendors.
  • Experience with process safety and material handling ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Excellent leadership and coordination skills, with a track record of leading and mentoring multi-disciplinary engineering teams across multiple project phases.
  • Ability to work effectively in high-pressure, dynamic environments, managing rapid changes in program scope, funding, and priorities.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to tailor presentations and reports to diverse technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Ability to undergo and pass a Department of Transportation compliant medical physical exam.
  • Ability to undergo and pass a drug screening.

Responsibilities of a Mechanical Engineer

• • Provide leadership for the safe and cost-effective execution of manufacturing capabilities in complex production environments, in collaboration with federal defense clients.
  • Acquire in-depth understanding of design requirements for process and facility design to install new manufacturing processes.
  • Apply analytical techniques to support process development, troubleshooting, and optimization. Assist in development test plans to validate to support proof on concept designs.
  • Oversee the proper execution of projects, including detailed planning, scheduling, and procurement aligned with customer specifications. Collaborate closely with program management counterparts to develop comprehensive plans for technical deliverables and schedules.
  • Collaborate with equipment vendors and subcontractors, clearly communicating design, fabrication, and testing requirements for process equipment.
  • In partnership with project managers, develop, plan, and execute goals that align with client objectives and ensure timely, quality deliverables. Participate in regular client facing meetings to updated progress and facilitate technical discussion.
  • Implement and monitor safety and quality programs, ensuring all project staff adhere to contractual terms, scope of work, regulatory requirement, and client specific quality and safety standards.
  • Produce detailed process design documentation, including process flow diagrams, process narratives, equipment bills of material, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Provide technical input into facility design, advising on safety standards and regulations for the design and operation of complex manufacturing process facilities.

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about who we are, what we do, the excellent careers and each of the competitive benefits we offer and explore some of our featured offices.

Anticipated Salary Range: $135,000 - $150,000