{"id":1653312,"url":"https://alion.io/job/dcs-corporation-research-engineer-composite-modeling","title":"Research Engineer - Composite Modeling","company":{"id":2031265,"name":"DCS Corporation","domain":"dcscorp.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/dcscorp","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Schema","truth_index":null},"role":"AI/ML","role_family":"AI/ML","seniority":"middle","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Beavercreek, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":103000,"max_usd":195000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":414},"experience_years_min":4,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Ray","optional":false},{"name":"Agile","optional":true},{"name":"C++","optional":true},{"name":"Fortran","optional":true},{"name":"MATLAB","optional":true},{"name":"Python","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-01T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-12","last_verified_at":"2026-10-14T11:39:26Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":13,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":13},"description":"ARCTOS a DCS companyis seeking a highly motivated research scientist or engineer to join our team supporting the AFRL/RE Composite, Ceramic, Metallic & Materials Performance Division. This position will lead efforts to fill critical gaps in the understanding of the behavior of ceramic matrix composites and translate that knowledge into models to predict performance and durability in extreme hypersonic and space operational environments.\nThe successful candidate will operate at the intersection of experimental mechanics, advanced diagnostics, and multiscale computational modeling. Working alongside materials development, processing, and characterization scientists, this individual will spearhead the development of novel testing frameworks and non-traditional modeling paradigms that overcome the limitations of legacy methods.\nEssential Job Functions:\nThe Research Engineer will collaborate with Government sponsors, research partners, and multi-disciplinary technical teams in the performance of the following duties:\nFormulate and implement advanced computational modeling strategies that move beyond classical continuum homogenization to account for thin-ply features, architectural complexity, and lack of length-scale separation.\nDevelop and execute or guide novel mechanical testing methodologies tailored to complex CMC architectures, moving beyond legacy standards derived from metals and traditional polymer composites.\nCorrelate high-resolution material characterization data (e.g., X-ray computed tomography, microstructural quantification) directly with finite element models and failure predictions.\nEstablish progressive design and life-prediction methodologies that replace overly conservative, empirical knockdowns with physics-based, risk-quantified design margins.\nCollaborate with materials processing teams to assess how emerging manufacturing pathways influence defect distributions, geometric variation, and component structural integrity.\nPresent findings at technical conferences, author technical reports and peer-reviewed publications, and brief senior stakeholders on technical progress and strategic impact.\nRequired Skills:\nDue to the sensitivity of customer related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.\nAble to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of War Secret security clearance.\nM.S. or Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or a related technical field.\n4 years of experience supporting engineering analysis, scientific computing, digital engineering, experimental thermomechanical testing, or computational mechanics is highly desirable.\nExperience supporting DoW, aerospace, or other configuration-controlled engineering programs is highly desirable.\nThe well-qualified candidate will have expertise in several of the following areas:\nComputational Modeling & Mechanics of Materials\nSolid foundation in continuum mechanics, fracture mechanics, and damage mechanics.\nExperience developing finite element analysis (FEA) models for heterogeneous or architected materials using commercial solvers (Abaqus, ANSYS, COMSOL) or research codes.\nExpertise in mesoscale modeling, discrete-damage modeling, or multiscale mechanics.\nScripting and scientific computing proficiency (Python, MATLAB, C++, or Fortran) for automated model generation, data reduction, and scientific visualization.\nMechanical Testing & Advanced Characterization\nHands-on experience developing and/or executing thermomechanical material tests for extreme environments (thermal gradients, complex multiaxial stress states), preferably for ceramics or CMCs.\nExpertise in full-field strain measurement techniques (2D/3D DIC).\nIn-depth understanding of non-destructive evaluation (NDE) and advanced characterization methods (e.g., micro-CT, synchrotron X-ray imaging, SEM/EDS, acoustic emission).\nDesign Methodologies & Systems Context\nFamiliarity with hypersonic thermal protection systems (TPS) or hot-structure concepts.\nAppreciation for uncertainty quantification (UQ), sensitivity analysis, and probabilistic design frameworks.\nUnderstanding of how component geometry, manufacturing defects, and processing variability influence structural performance and certification.\nDesired Skills:\nThe successful candidate should be:\nAn agile, interdisciplinary thinker able to bridge the gap between hands-on laboratory experimentation and advanced computational mechanics.\nEnthusiastic in tackling unconventional problems that lack established textbook solutions.\nA strong communicator capable of articulating complex physical phenomena clearly to experimentalists, computational modelers, and program leadership.\nSelf-motivated and comfortable driving research projects forward in collaborative, rapidly evolving R&D environments.","description_format":"text","description_chars":4815,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":4,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"master","optional":false},"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["National Security","Engineering 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