Staff Mechanical Engineer

ARA; Indian Head (MD); On-site; USD 87,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join our team at Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head on site.

The Staff Engineer will perform project engineering duties including cost proposals, planning, technical oversight, SOPs, QPPs, and ACPs. Candidates must have a mechanical engineering degree with 2-4 years (or Master with 0-2), US citizenship, ability to obtain Interim Secret clearance, and experience with energetic materials safety and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field with 2–4 years of experience, or a Master’s with 0–2 years.
• U.S. Citizenship eligible for security clearance.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience with process safety and regulatory compliance.
• Strong leadership and cross‑functional teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for the safe and cost-effective execution of manufacturing projects with federal 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 detailed planning, scheduling, and procurement.
• Collaborate with vendors and subcontractors to communicate design, fabrication, and testing requirements.
• Develop goals with project managers to meet client objectives and deliverables.
• Implement safety and quality programs in line with contractual terms and regulatory standards.
• Produce process design documentation including PFDs, narratives, BOMs, and SOPs.
• Advise on safety standards and regulatory compliance for complex manufacturing facilities.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Analytical skills

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related scientific field

Master's degree with 0-2 years of experience

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 Staff Engineer will perform project engineering duties such as preparation of cost proposals, planning project execution, providing technical oversight and solutions, preparing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), preparing Quality Project Plans (QPPs) and Alternate Control Plans (ACPs). Engineers will locate, review, and verify Technical Data Packages (TDP), MIL SPEC/MIL STDs and resolve technical issues by submitting and tracking Request for Variance(s) for OR-99s, and ORDALTS.

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 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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related scientific field with 2-4 years of related work experience, or a Master's with 0-2 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Degree in an engineering or related technical field is preferred.
• Extensive experience in the design, handling, and production of energetic materials for defense applications.
• Deep understanding of process engineering integration, especially within complex production environments for explosives and energetic materials.
• Experience in managing production modernization projects, particularly in the design and implementation of new manufacturing capabilities.
• Active Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance is highly desired.

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: $87,000 - $115,000