WMD Mechanical Engineer

The Capabilities, Analysis and Development (CAD) division of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) has an outstanding opportunity for an exceptional WMD Mechanical Engineer with experience in manufacturing/production systems. As part of the Counter-WMD Analysis Cell (CWAC), our tightly knit and highly focused team conducts detailed technical analyses of foreign, WMD-related industrial facilities, processes, and equipment using multiple intelligence sources, analytical tools, and engineering know-how. We also support a multi-disciplined team that performs Research & Development on technological applications for detecting, identifying, characterizing, modeling, and defeating WMD threats to support tactical and strategic planning efforts. In short, our CWAC team provides direct support to elements of the Intelligence Community, Combatant Command planning staffs, and operational units tasked with solving the most difficult problems involving the most dangerous weapons threatening the United States and its allies. The work is challenging, dynamic, relevant, and important to the security of the country.

Essential Functions:

• Identify and characterize critical design elements of WMD-related facilities, processes, and equipment.
• Integrate an understanding of mechanical systems with industrial production processes to identify design flaws, capability limits, and potential failure mechanisms.
• Support exercises that test and/or demonstrate new technologies, methodologies, and analytical tools that are under development.
• Produce clearly written technical analyses and briefings at levels comprehensible to an audience ranging anywhere from the layperson to senior-level government representatives, to subject matter experts.
• Share expertise with junior counterparts.

Required Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent degree
• Must be a US Citizen
• 7+ years of experience solving mechanical engineering problems
• Practical mechanical systems knowledge gained through design, construction, or facilities management work experience
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within or lead a team of peers, as well as excellent interpersonal and communications skills
• Willingness and ability to learn and grow into new areas of technical expertise outside of one’s original field.
• Expert knowledge and use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• An active TOP SECRET/SCI clearance and ability to pass a Counter-Intelligence polygraph is required

Preferred Skills:

• Master’s degree in Engineering or Physics
• Direct experience supporting reverse engineering, threat analysis, and vulnerability/survivability assessments of WMD-related facilities, processes, and infrastructure (to include underground facilities)
• A working familiarity with other facility and building infrastructure to include power, HVAC, water treatment, communication, pneumatic, fuel handling, and wastewater treatment systems.
• Research and Development of new tools and methodologies to understand and reverse engineer processes and support systems at remote WMD-related facilities.
• Modeling and simulation expertise with weaponeering and engineering analysis tools or similar.
• Military or defense-related experience and an understanding of operational planning and functional defeat of hard targets and underground facilities
• Working knowledge of engineering, 3D modeling, and geospatial analytical tools to include AutoCAD, ArcGIS, MatLab, SketchUp, Skyline Software, RemoteView, etc.