Applied Research Associates, Inc. logo

Staff Engineer 1

Applied Research Associates, Inc.

Kirtland AFB, NMJobSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today

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At a glance

Compensation
No compensation found
Location
Kirtland AFB, NM
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Security clearance

Job overview

Applied Research Associates’ Test Technology Division is seeking a Staff Engineer for its Hard Target Mechanics group. The role supports tests characterizing weapon effects through field engineering and engineering analysis, with work involving technologies such as ground shock, cratering, airblast, structural response, and thermal effects. The engineer will help prepare and execute tests, analyze data, and communicate results. The posting seeks a team player and self-starter interested in growing technical expertise.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Mechanical EngineeringCivil EngineeringPhysicsGeophysicsGeosciencesApplied EngineeringField EngineeringOutdoor WorkCodingMATLABTeamworkAttention to DetailDedicationSelf-StarterGoal CompletionImpact OrientationMultitaskingProfessional Communication

Qualifications

Bachelor's in Engineering or RelatedBachelor's in Physics, Geophysics, or Geosciences2+ Years Engineering ExperienceMaster's in ScienceDoD Security Clearance Eligibility

Full job description

Description

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA), Test Technology Division (TTD) Hard Target Mechanics group is looking for an individual with a background in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related engineering field. You will be instrumental in supporting tests to characterize weapon effects against a variety of targets. These tests are critical to develop technologies that safeguard our nation from future threats.

This position will provide a unique job environment, with opportunities for both hands-on field engineering as well as engineering analysis. Testing support is highly varied, with opportunities to work with technologies related to advanced energetic materials, ground shock, cratering, airblast, structural response, and thermal effects.

We are seeking a team-player with a strong desire to grow their technical expertise. You will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment with a high-performing team that is committed to ARA’s core values of Passion, Freedom, Service, and Growth. The candidate should be a self-starter who is excited to solve real-world problems that matter to national security.

What you’ll do as a Staff Engineer

  • Work in a versatile job environment to support field testing and engineering analysis.

  • Provide field engineering support for test event preparation, execution, data collection, and post-test documentation.

  • Lead small teams of engineers and technicians to complete field assignments.

  • Analyze data collected in the field and develop applied solutions to a variety of technical problems.

  • Author technical reports and briefings, and present results to your team and the customer.

  • Participate in technical collaboration within your immediate team, with other groups within Test Technology Division, and with other groups within ARA.

  • With acquired experience, there will be opportunities for client interaction that requires strong multi-tasking and professional communication skills.

Staff Engineer Requirements

  • Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related engineering field OR Bachelor of Science in Physics, Geophysics, or Geosciences with strong applied engineering skillset.

  • 2 to 4 years of engineering work experience with a Bachelor of Science degree, OR 1 to 2 years work experience with a Master of Science degree.

  • Broad technical engineering capabilities and interests.

  • Ability to obtain a DoD security clearance.

Staff Engineer Preferences

  • Field experience, familiarity with outdoor work.

  • Coding experience. For example, the ability to write scripts in MATLAB to quickly process data.

  • Master of Science Degree (thesis option) preferred.

Qualifications

Behaviors

Required

  • Team Player: Works well as a member of a group

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

  • Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Motivations

Required

  • Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help

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

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

Education

Required

  • Bachelors or better in Engineering

Experience

Required

  • 2-4 years: Relevant work experience.

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 1,182 open Staff Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 6, 2026.

Pay
  • This postingNot listed
  • US median$180–257K/yr962 salary ranges
  • US median$24–57/hr26 hourly ranges
Openings
Olive Jobs lists 1,182 open Staff Engineer jobs across the US. 7% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most across the US
Experience
This posting asks for at least 2 years of experience — less than three in four Staff Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for (median 7 years, across 1,017 postings).
Education
662 of the 1,182 open Staff Engineer jobs (56%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 6, 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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