The Air Vehicle Optimization Group at UDRI is a diverse team of skilled engineers and scientists who work closely with Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to develop, prototype, and test numerical models, software, and hardware for the multidisciplinary design and analysis of aerospace vehicles. The group brings together specialties in Aerospace, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics to combine state-of-the-art engineering tools with innovative ideas to support future aircraft design methods from conceptual design through flight testing. A few of the projects the group currently supports include: Computational Aircraft Prototype Synthesis (CAPS), Missile Enhancement via ReconfigurabLe Interceptor Nose (MERLIN), Efficient Supersonic Aircraft Vehicle (ESAV), X-56, and XQ-58A.

The group is currently seeking a Research Engineer to support ongoing research and development contracts providing fundamental engineering research for structural, material, thermal, and/or systems phenomena that will pave the way for future military and domestic platforms and applications. Research engineers apply fundamental engineering principles to the design, analysis, and testing of aerospace, materials, and industrial components and systems to improve efficiency, durability, and/or affordability.

The successful candidate will bring to bear their skills and experience with one or more of the following: rapid prototyping, mechanical testing, programming proficiency, data collection and processing, CAD, FEA, additive manufacturing, and/or Digital Image Correlation. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential and highly valued in this role.

Due to the nature of the work, US Citizenship and ability to pass a National Agency check is required.

Minimum Qualifications
Associate Research Engineer (R1) Minimum Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s or equivalent degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical, materials, or computer science engineering, or related field, is required.
- Due to the security requirements of this position, the successful candidate must pass a National Agency Check.

Preferred Qualifications

While not everyone may possess all of the preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following:

- Successful experience in operating Mechanical Testing Equipment (e.g. uniaxial and flexural testing machines) and Optical Testing Equipment (e.g. lasers, cameras, optical sensors)
- Successful experience in Computer Programming (e.g. MATLAB or Python)
- Successful experience in Data Collection and Processing (e.g. LabVIEW)
- Successful experience in Computer-Aided Design (e.g. SolidWorks, Engineering SketchPad, etc.)
- Successful experience in engineering analysis software (e.g. Abaqus FEA)
- Successful experience in Additive Manufacturing/3D-printing design and fabrication methodologies
- Successful experience in Digital Image Correlation (DIC) measurement techniques
- Strong organizational skills
- Strong English verbal skills
- Strong English writing skills
- The candidate should be able to interact effectively with other engineers, technicians, and management, as well as with current and potential customers.

Special Instructions to Applicants

A federal court on December 7, 2021, issued a ruling that suspends the COVID-19 vaccine requirement that applies to federal contractors nationwide. With this development, the University will pause any enforcement action against employees who have not complied with the requirement to be fully vaccinated by Dec. 8, 2021 or to have requested an exemption to maintain their employment status.

The University will continue to monitor the state of the pandemic on campus and in the community as well as developments in federal and state requirements, and also will continue to regularly consult with public health officials and our medical panel. As has been the case throughout the pandemic, our protocols and requirements are subject to change depending on conditions on campus or in our community, and government requirements.

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity, achieve equitable outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. As an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer, we will not discriminate against minorities, females, protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, or on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.