Research and Development Engineer

Hepburn and Sons LLC is a trusted advisor to the American maritime industry and the Department of Defense, delivering expert advisory, engineering, and technology transition services with a warfighter‑first focus. Built on a foundation of integrity, we honor handshakes as rigorously as contracts and place trust at the center of every decision and customer relationship. Our team bridges the gap between research & development and operational impact, applying intellectual rigor and passion for meaningful work to solve today’s most critical defense challenges.

As a Research and Development Engineer at Hepburn and Sons LLC, you will lead technology development, grow our engineering capabilities, and support our customers in the Defense industry by integrating technology for our warfighter capabilities. You will join a diverse group with varying expertise dedicated to mentoring and supporting our entire workforce at all levels.

• Provide analysis of electrical and electromagnetic effects on military ships
• Develop and integrate models of naval vessels and maritime systems
• Support designs of power and energy survivability systems on military ships
• Assist in the development of test events and test strategy of military equipment in the lab and in the field, and provide analysis of test results
• Develop modeling and simulation approaches to enhance testing events, test strategies, and de‑risk maritime electrical system vulnerabilities, including navigation systems, electrical power distribution, and ship combat systems
• Engage in digital engineering, modeling and simulation (M&S) including various software platforms and a model‑based systems engineering (MBSE) approach for acceleration and continuity of systems engineering design
• Verify and validate technologies against military performance requirements and standards to support military concept of operations (CONOPS)
• Perform technology demonstrations, qualification programs, requirements development, system design integration, design space exploration or analysis of alternatives studies
• Participate and present at conferences, symposiums, and exhibitions
• Travel up to 20%

• BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Physics
• Experience in power systems, power electronics, sensors, advanced manufacturing, functional materials for electrical systems, or model‑based systems engineering
• Five or more years of engineering experience
• Active DoD Secret Clearance (or ability to obtain and maintain one)
• Experience using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software
• Documented experience and demonstrable skills within the electromagnetic and electrostatic domains
• Working knowledge of 3D modeling software

• MS degree preferred
• Writing experience with white papers, publications, and/or proposals
• Experience with R&D engineering and technology development