Senior Mechanical R&D Lead – Naval Materials & Testing

N4 Solutions, LLC; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

N4 Solutions, LLC seeks a Mechanical Engineering Lead to guide senior R&D activities focused on mechanical engineering, structural integrity, and environmental testing of Navy materials and components. You will supervise test planning, execution, data analysis, and technical reporting, ensuring quality and alignment with Navy objectives.

The role involves coordinating multidisciplinary teams, developing robust test plans, and advancing fleet-relevant technology transitions while maintaining

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Engineering, Physical Science, or equivalent
• 8+ years in a research environment with mechanical engineering/materials testing background
• Senior R&D technical lead for complex programs
• Experience in Navy environments and DON/DOW programs
• Advanced knowledge of mechanical engineering, structural integrity testing, and materials behavior
• Experience with test instrumentation, data acquisition, and control systems
• Familiarity with Navy shipboard/field test environments and fleet-transition activities
• Active Secret security clearance required

Responsibilities

• Provide senior R&D leadership for mechanical engineering, structural integrity, materials performance, and component testing programs for Navy platforms.
• Lead planning, development, and execution of structural integrity tests on metals and composites.
• Develop and review test plans measuring durability, fatigue, stiffness, and other properties.
• Incorporate Navy environmental variables (seawater, seawater spray, temperature, load) into test programs.
• Oversee test design, execution, data analysis, and reporting from test beds to fleet transition.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary R&D activities across mechanical engineering, materials science, corrosion, coatings, fabrication, instrumentation.
• Use software to evaluate data, compare performance, and support numerical analyses.
• Ensure compliance with Navy/DoD requirements and QA plans.

Skills

Senior R&D leadership

Security clearance

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Master of Science or PhD in Engineering/Physical Science

Tools

Test instrumentation

Data acquisition

Monitoring and control systems

Job description

N4 Solutions, LLC seeks a Mechanical Engineering Lead to guide senior R&D activities focused on mechanical engineering, structural integrity, and environmental testing of Navy materials and components. You will supervise test planning, execution, data analysis, and technical reporting, ensuring quality and alignment with Navy objectives.

The role involves coordinating multidisciplinary teams, developing robust test plans, and advancing fleet-relevant technology transitions while maintaining