Staff Mechanical Engineer

Applied Research Associates, Inc.; McAlester (OK); On-site; USD 87,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. in McAlester, OK, is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join our team.

The role focuses on project engineering duties, SOPs, QPPs, ACPs, and oversight of technical data and MIL standards to support defense programs onsite. The candidate will lead multi-disciplinary teams, coordinate with government agencies, contractors, and vendors, and ensure safety, quality, and regulatory compliance throughout all project phases.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field; 2–4 years experience, or Master's with 0–2 years.
• U.S. Citizenship required; ability to obtain security clearance.
• Experience with energetic materials synthesis, monitoring, and scaling.
• Experience managing multiple projects with diverse stakeholders.
• Process safety and regulatory compliance experience.
• Strong leadership and ability to mentor multi-disciplinary teams.
• Ability to work in high-pressure, dynamic environments.
• Excellent communication skills for varied audiences.
• Ability to pass a DOT medical exam and drug screening.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for safe and cost-effective manufacturing in complex production environments for federal defense clients.
• Develop design requirements for process and facility design to install new manufacturing processes.
• Apply analytical techniques to support process development and troubleshooting.
• Oversee project execution with planning, scheduling, and procurement aligned with specs.
• Collaborate with equipment vendors and subcontractors on design, fabrication, testing requirements.
• Plan and execute goals with project managers; participate in client meetings to discuss progress.
• Implement safety and quality programs; ensure compliance with contractual terms and regulatory standards.
• Produce process design documentation: flow diagrams, narratives, BOMs, SOPs.
• Provide input on facility safety standards and regulations.

Skills

Technical skills

Project management

Process safety

Team leadership

Communication skills

Regulatory compliance

Safety culture

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field

Master's degree (0-2 years experience)

Job description

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 Engineer will assist senior level engineer 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. 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 McAlester Army Ammunition Plant and will require you to be onsite. This position does not allow for a remote or hybrid work schedule.

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

Requirements of a Mechanical Engineer

• 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.

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 (https://www.ara.com/) to learn more about who we are (https://www.ara.com/who-we-are/) , what we do (https://www.ara.com/what-we-do/) , the excellent careers (https://www.ara.com/careers/) and each of the competitive benefits (https://www.ara.com/benefits/) we offer and explore some of our featured offices (https://www.ara.com/featured-offices/) .

Anticipated Salary Range: $87,000 - $115,000

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 (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.