Shock and Vibration Test Engineer; R&D Engineer

This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 2 or 3 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

We are seeking a highly motivated engineer with a strong interest in applied structural dynamics and a passion for hands‑on experimental work to join our Shock and Vibration Team. Our mission is to plan, execute, and analyze dynamic tests on weapons assemblies. This position will focus on experimental modal analysis, while also supporting large-scale single-axis shock and vibration testing and the development of six‑degree‑of‑freedom (6-DOF) testing capabilities.

Our team includes engineers and technologists with experience in test execution, fixture design, instrumentation, data processing, and structural dynamics.

We use electrodynamic shakers and modal testing to characterize structural behavior and evaluate responses to dynamic loads.

We are actively developing 6-DOF vibration testing methods to better represent the dynamic environments experienced by weapons systems.

In this role, you will apply structural dynamics and experimental testing skills to help develop these methods and interpret multi-axis responses.

The successful candidate will enjoy working directly with hardware, learning new test methods, and solving problems in the laboratory. You will work with experienced staff to strengthen our modal testing capability and develop practical methods for acquiring, analyzing, and reporting test data.

As an R&D Engineer 2, you will independently plan and execute defined experimental modal testing tasks, with occasional oversight and technical support for unfamiliar methods or complex problems. Your work will include selecting excitation and measurement locations, setting up instrumentation and data acquisition systems, acquiring frequency response functions, and estimating natural frequencies, damping, and mode shapes. You will assess data quality, troubleshoot test setups, and document results in technical reports and presentations.

You will also support large-scale single-axis shock and vibration tests, including test planning, fixture development, instrumentation, controller setup, and data analysis. Working with engineers and technologists, you will contribute to 6-DOF capability development through testbed integration, instrumentation, test execution, and analysis of coupled structural responses.

You will work with programmatic customers to define assigned test objectives and communicate results. You will scope technical tasks, define deliverables, and coordinate work with engineers and technologists to meet scope, schedule, and budget. You will develop improvements to test methods, analysis tools, and reporting practices, and provide technical guidance to junior staff as needed. All work will be performed within applicable safety and quality requirements.

In addition to the responsibilities outlined above, you will serve as a technical leader for experimental modal analysis and lead the development of the team's modal testing capability. You will plan and lead complex testing efforts, work directly with customers to define objectives and interpret results, and make technical decisions that support programmatic needs. You will develop approaches for complex or ambiguous test and analysis problems, and mentor and train staff in modal testing and data interpretation.

You will establish and improve modal testing and reporting practices, lead assigned single-axis testing efforts, and lead major technical tasks supporting 6

DOF capability development. You will define scope, schedule, budget, and deliverables for these efforts and coordinate the staff needed to complete them. You will use test results and customer needs to identify capability gaps and recommend priorities for further development.

Knowledge of structural dynamics fundamentals, including natural frequencies, damping, mode shapes, and frequency response functions. Ability to apply engineering fundamentals to