Mechanical Engineer

N4 Solutions•Key West, WA

20d

About The Position

N4 Solutions, LLC is seeking a highly motivated mechanical engineering professional to serve as a senior Research and Development (R&D) technical leader supporting NRL. The role focuses on mechanical engineering, structural integrity, and environmental testing of Navy materials and components. The successful candidate will lead complex R&D activities from test planning and experimental design through test execution, data analysis, technical reporting, and fleet-relevant technology transition, maintaining technical quality and alignment with Navy mission and sponsored-program objectives. The position supports programs involving Navy ships, submarines, aircraft, marine structures, and other warfighting platforms. It leads structural integrity tests and studies of metallic alloys, non-metallic materials, bearings, machinery, and other components, including their durability, fatigue, stiffness, mechanical performance, degradation, and suitability for Navy applications. Testing may incorporate seawater, sea spray, atmospheric conditions, temperature, load, cycling, and other operational variables. The Mechanical Engineer also supports experimental platforms and test environments, including test beds, machinery, piping systems, mockups, and fixtures; laboratory, waterfront, shipboard, and field testing; and technology demonstrations and transition. The role coordinates multidisciplinary R&D, tracks project progress, labor, costs, risks, actions, and milestones, contributes technical deliverables, and mentors technical staff. The position is based in Washington, DC or Key West, FL, and requires an active Secret security clearance and occasional travel to Navy, DoD, shipyard, or other test locations.

Requirements

Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degree in Engineering, Physical Science, or equivalent from an accredited university.
At least 8 years of demonstrated experience supporting a research environment, with relevant knowledge of mechanical engineering, structural integrity, materials testing, mechanical systems, or other technical areas within the Statement of Work.
Demonstrated experience serving as a senior R&D technical lead for complex scientific or engineering programs.
Strong science and engineering credentials, expertise in applied and industrial Navy environments, and demonstrated ability to administer Department of the Navy and Department of War-sponsored programs.
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 incorporating environmental exposure and operational variables such as seawater, sea spray, temperature, load, cycling, stress, and strain.
Experience with test instrumentation, data acquisition, monitoring and control systems, experimental setup and validation, and analysis of mechanical or structural performance data.
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.

Nice To Haves

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.
Experience designing or supporting experimental platforms, test fixtures, machinery, piping systems, mockups, or simulated environments for laboratory or field testing.
Familiarity with Navy mechanical systems, shipboard or waterfront test environments, technical standards, field demonstrations, and fleet technology-transition activities.

Responsibilities

Provide senior R&D management and technical leadership for mechanical engineering, structural integrity, materials performance, and component-testing programs supporting Navy platforms.
Lead the planning, development, and execution of structural integrity tests on metallic alloys, non-metallic materials, bearings, and other Navy-relevant components and systems.
Develop and review test plans evaluating durability, fatigue, static and dynamic stiffness, mechanical performance, and other properties relevant to Navy applications.
Incorporate Navy-relevant environmental and operational conditions into test programs, including seawater, sea spray, atmospheric conditions, temperature, load, and cycling.
Direct fundamental and applied studies of how material selection, fabrication, heat treatment, welding, and mechanical processes affect performance, operation, and degradation.
Plan and oversee mechanical and environmental test programs to characterize material properties, degradation mechanisms, durability, fatigue behavior, and performance under representative naval conditions.
Evaluate applicable 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.
Develop experimental designs, instrumentation approaches, data requirements, quality controls, acceptance criteria, and test procedures.
Oversee test setup, instrumentation validation, data acquisition, monitoring, and control to ensure test integrity and reliable measurement.
Lead analysis and interpretation of mechanical test data to identify failure mechanisms, performance trends, degradation behavior, service-life implications, and opportunities for improvement.
Support the design, procurement, fabrication, construction, and evaluation of experimental platforms, test beds, machinery, piping systems, mockups, fixtures, and simulated environments.
Use analytical, statistical, modeling, and engineering software to evaluate test data, compare performance, support numerical analyses, and develop conclusions and recommendations.
Support laboratory, waterfront, shipboard, field, and other Navy-relevant test and evaluation activities.
Plan and support technology demonstrations, proof-of-concept evaluations, and transition activities for materials, components, structural systems, and mechanical technologies.
Coordinate multidisciplinary R&D involving mechanical engineering, materials science, corrosion science, coatings, fabrication, instrumentation, and data analysis.
Ensure work follows approved test, quality assurance, safety, and data-management plans and applicable Navy, DoD, laboratory, and technical requirements.
Track technical progress, labor and costs by subtask, risks, actions, milestones, and project plans, and communicate status to NRL and program sponsors.
Participate in technical reviews, progress meetings, and Integrated Product Team activities, providing mechanical engineering and structural integrity expertise to NRL, NAVSEA, government organizations, shipyards, fleet organizations, and industry stakeholders.
Prepare, review, and contribute to test plans, technical reports, engineering analyses, performance specifications, guidance documents, presentations, and other technical deliverables.
Mentor technical staff, promote disciplined scientific and engineering methods, and support knowledge transfer across multidisciplinary teams.