Staff Engineer / Scientist 1

Applied Research Associates (ARA) is seeking a highly capable Staff Engineer/Scientist to join a multidisciplinary team advancing mission critical technologies for U.S. Government and defense customers. The position will support active contracts in ballistics, physics-based modeling, and development of software tools. As part of a collaborative research environment, the successful candidate will help fulfil customer needs, contribute to scientific innovation, and support technical areas aligned with their expertise and interests.

Primary Role and Responsibilities

• Support modeling and simulation through data analysis, model development, verification and validation, and writing documentation.
• Exercise physics-based models and compare results to experimental data. Quantify model performance and evaluate modeling methodology.
• Study relevant materials to understand differences in physical properties and failure mechanisms.
• Collaborate with other engineers and scientists to understand complex dynamic interactions.
• Communicate technical insights clearly through reports, briefings, and customer interactions.
• Contribute to new research directions, proposal development, and R&D thrusts within the division.

Education

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Applied Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.

Requirements

• B.S. + 3 years, M.S. + 1 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• U.S. Citizen.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within a 3-5 person, multidisciplinary team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey advanced technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.

Location

• On-site work at ARA's Littleton, CO facility, with periodic travel to customer sites, partner locations, and other ARA offices.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with micro-to-macro material failure mechanisms and/or dynamic material behavior.
• Strong understanding of ballistics and/or dynamics.
• Experience with physics-based modeling.
• Familiarity with verification and validation of engineering tools.
• Familiarity with reactive materials, mechanical shock, and/or blast.
• Ability to interpret mathematical expressions representing physical mechanisms and translate knowledge of physics/material science/chemistry into mathematical expressions.
• Ability to find relevant information in available literature sources and apply the information as necessary on projects.
• Proficiency with programming languages such as MATLAB, Python or something similar.
• Experience writing technical reports, publications, and proposals. Comfortable delivering briefings.
• Ability to support multiple projects, adapt to new technical areas, and work effectively in fast paced research settings.

For best consideration, please apply by September 30, 2026.

Expected salary for this position will range from $80,000 - $100,000 depending on education and experience.

About ARA:

ARA is an employee-owned 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 over 2,200 professionals and continues to grow.

ARA offices throughout the country provide expertise across a broad range of engineering and science technologies. At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. We realize that employee ownership spawns greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives 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," along with the ARA values (Freedom, Passion, Service, Growth), sums up the ARA experience.

ARA offers competitive benefits that address our employees needs now and in the future. Learn more about each of our benefits at https://www.ara.com/benefits/.