Mechanical/Test Engineer III

Arcfield•Colorado Springs, CO

About The Position

The Mechanical/Test Engineer performs shock response testing for thermal protection system materials under impact, radiation, and thermal loading environments. The role spans experimental setup and design, test execution, and data assessment, using scientific and engineering simulation software—particularly one-dimensional hydrocodes such as PUFF and Wondy—as well as scripting and technical computing languages such as Python and MATLAB. The engineer supports test planning, pre-test modeling, hardware and test-article design and preparation, and experiments conducted at national and local laboratories. The role includes travel to test facilities, operation of data acquisition systems, installation and calibration of optical and electrical sensors, and safe transport of Arcfield instrumentation and experimental hardware. The engineer documents laboratory procedures and experiment assembly instructions, processes and assesses experimental data, simulates material response, evaluates test validity through pre- and post-diction assessments, and prepares technical reports for internal and external reviews. The position also involves presenting results and analysis to customers, recommending future testing, and operating and maintaining internal impact test equipment and hardware.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with 5–7 years of experience, master’s degree with 3–5 years of experience, or Ph.D. with 0–2 years of experience in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Physics with an emphasis in shock physics.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret clearance.
Proficiency with measurement tools such as micrometers, height gauges, and calipers.
Strong attention to detail.
Willingness to travel to support testing.
Experience operating oscilloscopes and data acquisition systems.
Experience designing and fabricating mechanical fixtures and components.
Experience with data analysis, writing test plans and test reports, and microscopy systems and techniques.
Experience with optical, structural, and thermal instrumentation.
Scripting experience with Python and MATLAB.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Experience with computer-aided design (CAD), CREO, or similar software.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to manage detailed tasks within customer-driven timelines and to work independently and as part of a team.
Self-starter with practical, hands-on expertise in hardware components and system integration.
Machining experience.
Experience with fiber-optic systems and instrumentation.

Nice To Haves

Active Top-Secret clearance.
Experience with static, dynamic, impact, and radiation testing.
Experience developing material Equations of State (EOS).

Responsibilities

Aid in developing materials-testing plans, including pre-test modeling, hardware and test-article design, and test-article preparation.
Coordinate with national and local laboratories and perform experimental duties at test facilities.
Travel to and from test facilities, ensure appropriate data acquisition, and help safely transport Arcfield instrumentation and experimental hardware.
Operate data acquisition systems and install and calibrate optical and electrical sensors.
Develop and document laboratory procedures and experiment assembly instructions.
Process experimental data for analysis, simulate material response with an understanding of the experimental environment, and assess test validity through pre- and post-diction assessments.
Prepare technical write-ups covering all aspects of experiments for internal and external reviews.
Present results and analysis to customers and recommend future testing based on experimental outcomes.
Operate and maintain internal impact test equipment and hardware.