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Mechanical/Test Engineer III

Arcfield

Colorado Springs, CO · Posted October 30, 2026

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About the job

Responsibilities

Job Description:

The Mechanical/Test Engineer will perform shock response testing for thermal protection system materials through impact, radiation, and thermal loading environments. The successful candidate will perform a wide range of tasks spanning from experimental setup and design, test execution, and data assessment. The position will require the use of scientific and engineering simulation software, in particular one-dimensional hydrocodes (e.g. PUFF, Wondy, etc.), as well as scripting and technical computing languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB).

Specific responsibilities and duties will include, but are not limited to:

Experimental Design: aid in the development of test plans for materials testing including pre-test modeling, hardware and test article design, and test article preparation.

Test Execution: interface with national and local laboratories to perform experimental duties, travel to and from test facilities ensuring appropriate data acquisition is captured, and aid in the safe transport of Arcfield instrumentation and experimental hardware to and from home facility.

Instrumentation: operate data acquisition systems, install and calibrate optical and electrical sensors.

Documentation: develop and document laboratory procedures and experiment assembly instructions.

Reporting: process experimental data for ease of analysis, simulate material response with an understanding of the experimental environment, and evaluate the validity of a given test through pre- vs post-diction assessments. Report on all aspects of a given experiment in a technical write up for both internal and external reviews.

Collaboration: interface with customers to include presenting results and analysis, and provide recommendations for future testing based on experimental outcomes.

Operation and maintenance: operate and maintain internal impact test equipment and hardware.

Qualifications

Required:

BS degree with 5-7 years of experience, MS with 3-5 years of experience, or PhD with 0-2 years of experience in one of the following degrees: Mechanical Engineering

Aerospace Engineering

Physics (emphasis in shock physics)

Must have ability to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret clearance

Proficient with measurement tools (e.g., micrometers, height gauges, calipers, etc.)

Strong attention to detail

Willing to travel to support testing

Driven to improve laboratory processes and testing methods

Experience operating oscilloscopes and data acquisition systems

Experience with the design and fabrication of mechanical fixtures and components

Experience with data analysis

Experience with writing test plans and test reports

Experience with microscopy systems and techniques

Experience with optical, structural and thermal instrumentation

Scripting experience with Python and MATLAB

Proficient with Microsoft Office Software: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

Experience with Computer Aided Design (CAD), CREO or similar

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Manage detailed tasks within customer driven timelines

Ability to work both independently and on a team

Self-starter

Practical, hands-on expertise with hardware components and system integration

Machining experience

Fiber optic systems and instrumentation

Preferred:

Active Top-Secret clearance

Static, dynamic, impact, and radiation testing experience

Experience in developing material Equations of State (EOS)

Equal Pay Act

This is the projected compensation range for this position. There are differentiating factors that can impact a final salary/hourly rate, including, but not limited to, Contract Wage Determination, relevant work experience, skills and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location (For Remote Opportunities), education and certifications as well as Federal Government Contract Labor categories. In addition, Arcfield invests in its employees beyond just compensation. Arcfield ’s benefits offerings include, dependent upon position, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, Holiday Pay, Short Term and Long-Term Disability, Retirement and Savings, Learning and Development opportunities, wellness programs as well as other optional benefit elections.

Min: $83,370.11 Max: $144,964.45 EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and federal government contractor. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment as protected by law.

Job Description:

The Mechanical/Test Engineer will perform shock response testing for thermal protection system materials through impact, radiation, and thermal loading environments. The successful candidate will perform a wide range of tasks spanning from experimental setup and design, test execution, and data assessment. The position will require the use of scientific and engineering simulation software, in particular one-dimensional hydrocodes (e.g. PUFF, Wondy, etc.), as well as scripting and technical computing languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB).

Specific responsibilities and duties will include, but are not limited to:

Experimental Design: aid in the development of test plans for materials testing including pre-test modeling, hardware and test article design, and test article preparation.

Test Execution: interface with national and local laboratories to perform experimental duties, travel to and from test facilities ensuring appropriate data acquisition is captured, and aid in the safe transport of Arcfield instrumentation and experimental hardware to and from home facility.

Instrumentation: operate data acquisition systems, install and calibrate optical and electrical sensors.

Documentation: develop and document laboratory procedures and experiment assembly instructions.

Reporting: process experimental data for ease of analysis, simulate material response with an understanding of the experimental environment, and evaluate the validity of a given test through pre- vs post-diction assessments. Report on all aspects of a given experiment in a technical write up for both internal and external reviews.

Collaboration: interface with customers to include presenting results and analysis, and provide recommendations for future testing based on experimental outcomes.

Operation and maintenance: operate and maintain internal impact test equipment and hardware.

Required:

BS degree with 5-7 years of experience, MS with 3-5 years of experience, or PhD with 0-2 years of experience in one of the following degrees: Mechanical Engineering

Aerospace Engineering

Physics (emphasis in shock physics)

Must have ability to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret clearance

Proficient with measurement tools (e.g., micrometers, height gauges, calipers, etc.)

Strong attention to detail

Willing to travel to support testing

Driven to improve laboratory processes and testing methods

Experience operating oscilloscopes and data acquisition systems

Experience with the design and fabrication of mechanical fixtures and components

Experience with data analysis

Experience with writing test plans and test reports

Experience with microscopy systems and techniques

Experience with optical, structural and thermal instrumentation

Scripting experience with Python and MATLAB

Proficient with Microsoft Office Software: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

Experience with Computer Aided Design (CAD), CREO or similar

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Manage detailed tasks within customer driven timelines

Ability to work both independently and on a team

Self-starter

Practical, hands-on expertise with hardware components and system integration

Machining experience

Fiber optic systems and instrumentation

Preferred:

Active Top-Secret clearance

Static, dynamic, impact, and radiation testing experience

Experience in developing material Equations of State (EOS)