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Nuclear Weapons Effects Modeling & Simulation Engineer/Scientist

Applied Research Associates, Inc.

Multiple U.S. locations · HybridJobSeen 2w agoSeen in employer's feed 5 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
No compensation found
Location
Multiple U.S. locationsHybrid
Work Authorization
US work authorization required

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Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Security clearance

Job overview

Applied Research Associates seeks a Nuclear Weapons Effects Modeling & Simulation Engineer/Scientist to develop engineering and physics-based methodologies, analytical algorithms, and software tools for national security applications. The team models phenomena such as air blast, ground shock, and structural response, integrating models into simulation software and performing verification and validation. The role works in the Raleigh office three days per week and involves varied research and development work.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Modeling and Simulation Software DevelopmentC++High-Level Programming LanguagesPythonJavaStructural DynamicsTeamworkSoftware Design PatternsModern C++Agile Software DevelopmentCode Configuration ManagementGitBitBucketGitLabDoD Modeling and SimulationNuclear Weapon EffectsGround Shock EnvironmentsGeotechnical CharacterizationProbabilistic AnalysisVerbal CommunicationWritten Communication

Qualifications

BS+5-7, MS+3-5 or PhD+0-2 YrsUS Security Clearance Eligibility

Full job description

Description

Applied Research Associates, Inc. has an exciting and challenging opportunity for a Nuclear Weapons Effects Modeling & Simulation Engineer/Scientist who will support our growing business in modeling and simulation of physical phenomena within a 3D geometric modeling environment. We apply traditional physical modeling approaches as well as machine learning to solve critical problems. As a member of our diverse, multidisciplinary team, you will be responsible for developing engineering and physics-based methodologies, analytical algorithms, and software tools that strengthen our national security.

Our work focuses on modeling a diverse range of phenomena including air blast, ground shock, and structural response modeling. Our models span a wide range of fidelity, from fast-running physics-based models to high fidelity computational fluid dynamics, molecular dynamics, and finite element approaches. As an engineer on our team, your day-to-day work will consist of developing or integrating a wide variety of models into our modeling and simulation software and performing verification & validation on the models to ensure that they produce realistic results. As a research and development program, the nature of our work varies from month to month and year to year: You will be continuously challenged to learn and grow expertise in new areas.

The most successful candidates have a strong technical background in engineering and a desire to continue expanding their knowledge. Expertise (and desire!) in writing robust and performant software is also highly desirable. If this describes you, please apply! You will be required to work in the office 3 days a week in our Raleigh, NC office.

Required Experience & Skills:

  • Bachelors of Science in Engineering with 5-7 years of experience or Masters of Science in Engineering with 3-5 years of relevant experience or PhD in Engineering with 0-2 years of experience.

  • A strong interest in and ability to develop modeling and simulation software in C++.

  • Expertise in other high level programming languages (e.g. Python, Java, etc.).

  • Significant academic or professional experience applying principles of structural dynamics.

  • A desire to work in a dynamic team environment.

Security Clearance Requirement:

  • The nature of work, interactions with intelligence community and DoD programs require eligibility to apply for and hold a US security clearance (selected applicants will undergo a security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements at the time of employment).

Preferred Experience and Skills:

Above all, we value passion, a continuous desire to learn, and teamwork. We are confident that if you possess the right attitude, work ethic, and skill set, that you will succeed in the role. In addition to the experience and skills above, if you have any of the following you will be able to accelerate your effectiveness and impact.

  • Masters of Science in Engineering with 3-5 years of relevant experience or PhD in Engineering with 0-2 years of relevant experience.

  • Familiarity with software design patterns, modern C++, agile software development practices, and code configuration management (e.g. Git, BitBucket, GitLab).

  • Expertise in DoD modeling and simulation technology, structural dynamics, nuclear weapon effects, ground shock environments, geotechnical characterization, and/or probabilistic analysis.

  • Ability to communicate effectively through verbal and written mediums with technical and non-technical audiences.

Company & Division Information:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. 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 over 2,000 professionals and continues to grow. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, 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 employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging and 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. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please apply at careers.ara.com.

Qualifications

Education

Required

  • Bachelor of Science or better in Engineering

Preferred

  • Master of Science or better in Engineering

Experience

Required

  • 5-7 years: Relevant work experience with Bachelors of Science.

Preferred

  • 0-2 years: Relevant work experience with PhD.

  • 3-5 years: Relevant work experience with Masters of Science.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.

How this job compares

Set against the 1,357 open Research and Development jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 30, 2026.

Pay
  • This postingNot listed
  • US median$118–174K/yr709 salary ranges
  • US median$25–34/hr168 hourly ranges
Openings
Olive Jobs lists 27 open Research and Development jobs in North Carolina and 1,357 across the US. 2% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in North Carolina
Experience
This posting asks for at least 5 years of experience; Research and Development postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years at the median (907 postings).
Education
746 of the 1,357 open Research and Development jobs (55%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 30, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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