Staff Protective Design Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 10, 2026. First seen by Alion on Aug 28, 2026. Applied Research Associates scores B on the Alion truth index.
ARA is seeking an experienced protective design engineer to join our Southern Division. This is an on-site position working in our office in Vicksburg, MS or Alexandria, VA.
What you will do as a staff protective design engineer:
- Perform simple to complex structural analysis and design, from basic static design to dynamic, non-linear analysis using finite element and single and multiple degree of freedom methods.
- Work with engineers to perform both static and dynamic structural analysis for extreme events
- Prepare calculation packages, technical reports of analysis and recommendations
- Limited travel may be involved to collect site-specific information
- Participate in testing depending on project requirements, and interact with existing clients as well as develop business with new clients and markets.
Staff protective design engineer requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Civil, Structural, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering or equivalent with an emphasis in structural dynamics and structural design, plus 5-7 years of related experience. Advanced degree preferred, with 3-5 years of related experience.
- Knowledge of finite element methods and engineering software including MathCad, SAP2000, LS-DYNA, and AutoCAD or similar.
- Experience in analysis/design including dynamic, non-linear structural analysis and 3-D modeling.
- Must be independent, self-motivated, and have excellent technical, communication, and presentation skills.
- This position requires a security clearance. Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Staff protective design engineer preferences:
- GPA of at least 3.00 out of 4.00
- Interest in project management and business development is beneficial.
About ARA:
ARA 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 more than 2,200 professionals and continues to grow. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in civil technologies, computer software and simulation, defense technologies, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for pavement analysis, environmental site characterization, 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 its 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” sums up the ARA experience.