Staff Engineer - Los Altos, United States - Applied Research Associates

Description

**Description**

The Southwest Division (SWD) of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) in Albuquerque, NM or Silicon Valley, CA, has an opportunity for an entry-level or experienced candidate to join a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and scientists. The Computational Physics Group develops code and performs computational analysis for large Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and computational structural dynamics (CSD) simulations. The successful applicant will perform CFD and CSD computer simulations on local computing clusters and High Performance Computing (HPC) systems to support the development and use of these computer codes for a variety of applications such as air blast, shock tubes, explosive detonations, explosive fill analysis, subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic flows and reacting flows. He/she will work with a team of highly skilled engineers and scientists that leverage multidisciplinary backgrounds to provide innovative solutions to our customers. The programs impact national security and Department of Defense (DoD) mission areas. Opportunities include work in areas such as nuclear and conventional weapon effects, air blast injury, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), advanced energetics (enhanced explosives), coupled fluid/structure interaction, hypersonics, aerothermodynamics, and peridynamics.

ARA offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits including medical and dental coverage, 401(k) profit sharing, life and long-term disability insurance, performance bonuses, and professional development.

**Education and Security Requirements:**

+ B.S. in physics or engineering (mechanical, chemical or aerospace)

+ GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 for all degrees earned

+ Ability to obtain a security clearance, which includes **US citizenship**

**Required Skills:**

+ General problem-solving skills

+ Strong technical writing skills, and the ability to present technical material at conferences and at meetings with customers

+ Knowledge of compressible flow and shock physics

+ Capacity to work in a team environment and to cultivate business-development opportunities

+ Initiative to work with moderate supervision; ability to prioritize efforts in a dynamic multi-tasking environment

**Required Experience:**

+ Performing calculations with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) or Computational Structural Dynamics (CSD) codes

+ Programming in languages such as Python, Julia, Fortran, C or C++, Matlab, or R

+ Working on Unix/Linux operating systems

+ Manipulating data and presenting results in useful formats using tools such as Excel, DPlot, MATLAB or Mathematica

+ Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

**Desired Qualifications or Experience:**

+ M.S. in physics or engineering (mechanical, structural, chemical or aerospace)

+ High Performance Computing (HPC), code development and running high-fidelity simulations on parallel platforms

+ Modeling of multiphase flow

+ Heat transfer modeling including conduction, convection, and radiation

+ Experience with CFD meshing tools, like PointWise, ANSYS/FLUENT

+ Comparing/analyzing experimental/simulation data and documenting results

+ Planning and executing experimental efforts

**Job Location:**

+ Albuquerque, NM or Silicon Valley, CA

**Company Information:**

ARA is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems. Founded in Albuquerque, NM in 1979, ARA currently employs over 1500 professionals and is rapidly growing. Our culture supports our exceptional staff of valued employees and encourages professional growth through continued higher education, participation and publication at technical conferences, and membership in professional organizations. As an ARA employee you are encouraged to generate new ideas and bring those ideas to life. ARA offers competitive salaries and outstanding benefits including stock ownership, medical and dental coverage, long-term disability insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) profit-sharing plan, and annual bonuses. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at

The Silicon Valley Office (SVO) of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is located in Los Altos, CA and is ARAs Center of Excellence in Nonlinear Dynamic Finite Element Analysis and regularly perform full-scale dynamic testing of complex vehicle structures. SVO performs research in a wide variety of structures and materials applications, including crashworthiness and transportation safety, impact, penetration, and fracture and failure analysis.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractors legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR c)

**Qualifications**

**Behaviors**

**Required**

+ **Thought Provoking:** Capable of making others think deeply on a subject

+ **Enthusiastic:** Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest

+ **Detail Oriented:** Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

+ **Team Player:** Works well as a member of a group

**Motivations**

**Required**

+ **Self-Starter:** Inspired to perform without outside help

+ **Ability to Make an Impact:** Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

+ **Goal Completion:** Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks

**Education**

**Required**

+ Bachelors or better in Mechanical Engineering

+ Bachelor of Science or better in Physics

**Experience**

**Required**

+ 2-4 years: Relevant work experience

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractors legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR c)