Staff Mechanical Engineer

ARA; McAlester (OK); On-site; USD 87,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join the defense-focused team at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant. The role requires US citizenship and on-site work, with interim Secret clearance eligibility.

You will assist senior engineers with cost proposals, project planning, SOPs, QPPs, ACPs, and coordination across government agencies, contractors, and vendors. The position emphasizes leadership, safety, and compliance in a fast-paced environment, producing

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's in mechanical engineering or related field, with 2–4 years' experience, or a Master's with 0–2 years.
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain security clearance are required.
• Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders including government agencies, contractors, and vendors.
• Strong knowledge of process safety and regulatory compliance is needed.

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.
• Oversee the proper execution of projects, including detailed planning, scheduling, and procurement aligned with customer specifications.
• Collaborate with equipment vendors and subcontractors, communicating design, fabrication, and testing requirements.
• In partnership with project managers, develop, plan, and execute goals that align with client objectives and ensure timely, quality deliverables.
• Implement and monitor safety and quality programs, ensuring all project staff adhere to terms, scope, and standards.
• Produce detailed process design documentation, including process flow diagrams, narratives, BOMs, and SOPs.
• Provide input into facility design, advising on safety standards and regulations.

Skills

Security clearance readiness

Project management

Leadership

Communication skills

Process safety

Energetic materials knowledge

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 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 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