Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineer Position

N4 Solutions, LLC offers our public and private sector clients the collective intellectual knowledge, expertise, and experience of our company and associates to help our customers evaluate, collaborate, innovate, and create business, technology, and scientific solutions that enable them to accomplish their mission and achieve organizational objectives. With the growth of the company, we are seeking a highly motivated and hard-working mechanical engineering professional to join our team. The successful candidate will work in a high-paced and rewarding work environment.

The Mechanical Engineer will serve as a senior Research and Development (R&D) technical leader supporting NRL, with a primary focus on mechanical engineering, structural integrity, and environmental testing of Navy materials and components. The position will lead and coordinate structural integrity testing of metallic alloys, non-metallic materials, bearings, and other components to evaluate durability, fatigue, static and dynamic stiffness, and related performance characteristics. The successful candidate will manage complex R&D activities from test planning and experimental design through test execution, data analysis, technical reporting, and fleet-relevant technology transition while ensuring technical quality and alignment with Navy mission and sponsored-program objectives.

Responsibilities include:

• Providing senior R&D management and technical leadership for mechanical engineering, structural integrity, materials performance, and component testing programs supporting Navy ships, submarines, aircraft, marine structures, and other warfighting platforms.
• Leading the planning, development, and execution of structural integrity tests on metallic alloys, non-metallic materials, bearings, and other Navy-relevant components and systems.
• Developing and reviewing test plans that measure durability, fatigue, static stiffness, dynamic stiffness, mechanical performance, and other properties necessary to evaluate material and component suitability for Navy applications.
• Incorporating Navy-relevant environmental parameters into test programs, including exposure to natural seawater, periodic sea spray, atmospheric conditions, temperature, load, cycling, and other operational variables that may affect material or component performance.
• Directing fundamental and applied studies evaluating the effects of structural material selection, fabrication techniques, heat treatment, welding, and mechanical processes on performance, operation, and degradation.
• Planning and overseeing mechanical and environmental test programs designed to characterize material properties, degradation mechanisms, durability, fatigue behavior, and performance under representative naval operating conditions.
• Evaluating physio-mechanical effects associated with bonding, fastening, adhesives, additive manufacturing, surface modification or enhancement, wear, environmental exposure, stress and strain, inhibitors or additives, and crevice geometry as applicable to assigned R&D programs.
• Developing experimental designs, instrumentation approaches, data requirements, quality controls, acceptance criteria, and test procedures to ensure repeatable, defensible, and technically sound mechanical test results.
• Overseeing test setup, instrumentation validation, data acquisition, monitoring, and control activities to assure test integrity and reliable measurement of structural and mechanical performance.
• Leading analysis and interpretation of mechanical test data to identify failure mechanisms, performance trends, degradation behavior, service-life implications, and opportunities for material or design improvement.
• Supporting the design, procurement, fabrication, construction, and evaluation of experimental platforms, test beds, machinery, piping systems, mockups, fixtures, and simulated environments required for mechanical and structural testing.
• Using analytical, statistical, modeling, and engineering software to evaluate test data, compare material and component performance, support numerical analyses, and develop technically defensible conclusions and recommendations.
• Supporting laboratory, waterfront, shipboard, field, and other Navy-relevant test and evaluation activities involving materials, components, structures, machinery, and environmental exposure.
• Planning and supporting technology demonstrations, proof-of-concept evaluations, and transition activities for materials, components, structural systems, and mechanical technologies intended to improve readiness, durability, maintainability, and service life.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary R&D activities involving mechanical engineering, materials science, corrosion science, coatings, fabrication, instrumentation, and data analysis to ensure integrated execution of complex test programs.
• Ensuring scientific and engineering work is performed under approved test, quality assurance, safety, and data-management plans and in accordance with applicable Navy, DoD, laboratory, and technical requirements.
• Tracking technical progress, labor and costs by subtask, risks, assigned actions, milestones, and project plans for assigned mechanical engineering R&D efforts and communicating status to NRL and program sponsors.
• Participating in technical reviews, progress meetings, and Integrated Product Team (IPT) activities and providing mechanical engineering and structural integrity subject matter expertise to NRL, NAVSEA, Department of the Navy, Department of War, shipyards, fleet organizations, and industry stakeholders.
• Preparing, reviewing, and contributing to test plans, technical reports, engineering analyses, performance specifications, guidance documents, presentations, and other technical deliverables supporting mechanical testing, materials evaluation, and fleet technology transition.
• Mentoring technical staff, promoting disciplined scientific and engineering methods, and supporting knowledge transfer across multidisciplinary teams performing mechanical testing, materials, corrosion, coatings, fabrication, and technology-transition RDT&E.

Education/Experience/Expertise:

• Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degree in Engineering, Physical Science, or equivalent from an accredited university.
• Minimum of 8 years of demonstrated experience supporting a research environment with an appropriate knowledge base related to mechanical engineering, structural integrity, materials testing, mechanical systems, or other technical areas within the Statement of Work.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a senior Research and Development (R&D) technical lead for complex scientific or engineering programs.
• Strong science and engineering credentials with expertise in applied and industrial Navy environments and proven ability to administer programs sponsored by the Department of the Navy and Department of War (DON and DOW).
• Advanced knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, structural integrity testing, materials behavior, fatigue, durability, static and dynamic stiffness, environmental testing, and mechanical performance evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing structural or mechanical test programs for metallic alloys, non-metallic materials, bearings, machinery, components, or comparable engineered systems.
• Experience developing test plans that incorporate environmental exposure and operational variables such as seawater, sea spray, temperature, load, cycling, stress, strain, and other representative service conditions.
• Experience evaluating the effects of material selection, fabrication, heat treatment, welding, bonding, fastening, additive manufacturing, wear, or related manufacturing and mechanical processes on structural performance is strongly preferred.
• Experience with test instrumentation, data acquisition, monitoring and control systems, experimental setup, validation, and analysis of mechanical or structural performance data.
• Experience designing or supporting experimental platforms, test fixtures, machinery, piping systems, mockups, or simulated environments for laboratory or field testing is preferred.
• Familiarity with Navy mechanical systems, shipboard or waterfront test environments, technical standards, field demonstrations, and fleet technology-transition activities is preferred.
• Excellent technical writing, analytical, leadership, communication, and stakeholder-coordination skills.
• Ability to support laboratory, waterfront, shipboard, and field activities and occasional travel to Navy, DoD, shipyard, or other test locations.
• Active Secret security clearance required.

Location:

• Washington, DC or Key West, FL

The N4 Solutions Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy is to provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all employees and job applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. N4 Solutions hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications and achievements for the job to be filled.