Staff Protective Design Engineer

ARA; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

ARA is seeking an experienced protective design engineer for our Southern Division. This on-site role will be based in our office in Vicksburg, MS or Alexandria, VA.

You will perform static to dynamic structural analyses, prepare reports, and interact with clients while supporting business development. Required are a civil/structural/mechanical engineering background with 5–7 years of experience, FE analysis proficiency (MathCad, SAP2000, LS-DYNA), and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Structural, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering with emphasis in structural dynamics and design.
• 5-7 years of related experience; advanced degree preferred with 3-5 years of related experience.
• Proficiency with finite element methods and software including MathCad, SAP2000, LS-DYNA, and AutoCAD.
• Experience in dynamic, non-linear structural analysis and 3-D modeling.
• Strong independence, motivation, and excellent technical, communication, and presentation skills.
• This position requires eligibility for a government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural analyses from basic static to dynamic, non-linear using FE methods.
• Collaborate with engineers to analyze static and dynamic responses for extreme events.
• Prepare calculation packages, technical reports, and recommendations.
• Travel may be required to collect site-specific information.
• Engage with clients and help develop business in new markets.

Skills

Structural analysis

Finite element methods

LS-DYNA

SAP2000

MathCad

AutoCAD

Non-linear analysis

Dynamic analysis

Security clearance

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Structural/Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

MathCad

SAP2000

LS-DYNA

Job description

ARA is seeking an experienced protective design engineer to join our Southern Division. This is an on-site position working in our office in Vicksburg, MS or Alexandria, VA.

What you will do as a staff protective design engineer:

• Perform simple to complex structural analysis and design, from basic static design to dynamic, non-linear analysis using finite element and single and multiple degree of freedom methods.
• Work with engineers to perform both static and dynamic structural analysis for extreme events
• Prepare calculation packages, technical reports of analysis and recommendations
• Limited travel may be involved to collect site-specific information
• Participate in testing depending on project requirements, and interact with existing clients as well as develop business with new clients and markets.

Staff Protective Design Engineer Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Structural, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering or equivalent with an emphasis in structural dynamics and structural design, plus 5-7 years of related experience. Advanced degree preferred, with 3-5 years of related experience.
• Knowledge of finite element methods and engineering software including MathCad, SAP2000, LS-DYNA, and AutoCAD or similar.
• Experience in analysis/design including dynamic, non-linear structural analysis and 3-D modeling.
• Must be independent, self-motivated, and have excellent technical, communication, and presentation skills.
• This position requires a security clearance. Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Staff Protective Design Engineer Preferences

• GPA of at least 3.00 out of 4.00
• Interest in project management and business development is beneficial.

About ARA

ARA is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs more than 2,200 professionals and continues to grow. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in civil technologies, computer software and simulation, defense technologies, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for pavement analysis, environmental site characterization, and robotics. At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership spawns greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience.