Senior Mechanical Engineer – 3D Facility Characterization

Red Gate Group; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Red Gate Group is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer in Albuquerque, NM, specializing in 3D Facility Characterization. You will be responsible for leading the mechanical reconstruction and modeling of underground facilities, utilizing advanced tools like SolidWorks and MATLAB.

With over 10 years of engineering experience, you will mentor junior engineers, develop detailed CAD assemblies, and collaborate with teams for model validation. A Top Secret clearance is required for this full-time position at Kirtland Air Force Base.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive engineering experience focusing on 3D modeling.
• Active U.S. Government Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance.
• Experience with point cloud processing tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical reconstruction and modeling of complex UGFs.
• Develop high‑fidelity 3D CAD assemblies for analysis and simulations.
• Collaborate with Evaluation teams to validate model accuracy.

Skills

3D modeling

Reverse engineering

Structural characterization

SolidWorks

Python

MATLAB

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or relevant STEM field

Master’s or Ph.D.

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

Autodesk

CloudCompare

Cyclone

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer specializing in 3D Facility Characterization to directly support the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). This is a full‑time, on‑site position located at Kirtland Air Force Base (AFB) in Albuquerque, NM. In this role, you will serve as the principal technical authority responsible for reverse‑engineering, modeling, and structurally characterizing Underground Facilities (UGFs) and hardened deeply buried targets (HDBTs). You will utilize advanced geospatial imaging, LiDAR, and computer‑aided engineering (CAE) to reconstruct complex subterranean environments into high‑fidelity 3D CAD geometries for blast‑effects modeling and hazard predictions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical reconstruction and volumetric modeling of complex UGFs, mapping internal geometries, structural reinforcements, ventilation networks, and geological interfaces.
• Develop high‑fidelity 3D CAD assemblies to serve as baseline geometries for Hydrocode, FEA, and CFD solvers.
• Ensure 3D characterization datasets interface with DoD hazard prediction and transport toolsets, providing structural volume data for HPAC and VLSTRACK models.
• Direct processing and synthesis of terrestrial LiDAR, point clouds, SfM photogrammetry, and SAR to build accurate subterranean twins.
• Analyze mechanical and geomechanical properties of surrounding rock, concrete linings, and blast doors to assess vulnerabilities.
• Collaborate with Kirtland‑based Test & Evaluation teams to validate 3D model accuracy against post‑detonation data.
• Mentor junior to mid‑level mechanical engineers and spatial data analysts on advanced modeling and vulnerability workflows.
• Present highly technical 3D models and assessments to DTRA leadership, combatant commands, and intelligence stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil/Structural Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a highly relevant STEM field; Master’s or Ph.D. preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive engineering experience, with emphasis on 3D modeling, reverse engineering, and structural characterization of complex facilities or hardened structures.
• Mastery of advanced 3D CAD environments such as SolidWorks, Creo, or Autodesk and spatial processing software for modeling UGFs.
• Strong working knowledge of how structural volume data constrains DoD hazard prediction tools, specifically HPAC and VLSTRACK.
• Active U.S. Government Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance.
• Experience with point cloud processing tools (CloudCompare, Cyclone) and scripting (Python, MATLAB) for large spatial datasets.

Preferred Experience

• Hands‑on experience preparing 3D facility geometries for high‑rate physics solvers such as LS‑DYNA, ANSYS Autodyn, or CTH.
• Experience with terrestrial laser scanners, mobile mapping systems, or robotic platforms for GPS‑denied underground mapping.

EEO Statement

The Red Gate Group, Ltd. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. The Red Gate Group, Ltd. considers applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state, or local law.