Senior Mechanical Drafter 2

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is looking for an Experienced Mechanical Drafter to join our Concept Development Group, Southwest Division, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  CDG boasts a multidisciplinary team of engineers performing research, development, and analysis for concept and developmental weapon programs.  CDG creates designs for novel and legacy weapon systems for Department of Defense programs supporting our warfighters. This is not a teleworking position.

ARA’ Benefits Package Includes:   

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer matching contribution  
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan  
• Various insurance options including Flexible Spending Plan, Health Savings Account (HSA)  
• Paid leave and holidays.  

Essential Functions:

• Create technical drawings and 3D digital models of weapon systems, support equipment and other assorted weldments
• Generate mechanical solid models, fabrication/assembly drawings, BOMs, technical illustrations, mechanical schematics, and installation/integration instructions. Drafting assignments involve conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design under limited supervision.
• Responsible for creation of technical data packages to support DoD clients with sustainment and modernization of legacy hardware for flight, ground support, testing, and maintenance.
• Support research and development of new technologies for national defense applications.
• Support development of analysis-only CAD models for structural, thermal, dynamic, and dimensional engineering analyses.
• Lead drafting decision making by interacting with colleagues and project leadership to present technical data packages, collaborate to make design decisions with the engineering team, and document comprehensive technical data packages in the form of 3D CAD models, and manufacturing/fabrication drawings.
• Lead reverse engineering activities by creating 3D CAD models and/or drawings from data that is extracted from legacy avionics equipment and/or structures.
• Independently manage individual and drafting team contributions with minimal supervision.
• Support development of dimensioning and tolerancing schemes to ensure proper form, fit and function of newly manufactured parts.

Qualifications:

• Requires a high school diploma or equivalent or an Associate’s degree in Mechanical Design and Drafting, Aerospace Design and Drafting, or Avionics Design and Drafting.
• 7 years: Self-motivated with strong skills in organization, technical writing, oral/written communication, and professionalism.
• 7 years: Experience with leading highly complex mechanical design development through conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design project phases.
• 7 years: Proficient with developing mechanical solid models using multiple commercial 3D/2D software suites - SolidWorks preferred. Experience providing original work contributions for complex mechanical systems with custom project requirements.
• 7 years: Proficient with interpreting and generating mechanical dimensioning and fit tolerances. .
• Citizenship: all applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must be able to acquire and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Required Skills: 

• Generate mechanical solid models, fabrication/assembly drawings, BOMs, technical illustrations, mechanical schematics, and installation/integration instructions.
• Proficient with Solidworks or other similar CAD software
• Ability to work closely with a technical team to quickly generate new CAD concepts, refine ideas or modify models to meet customer demand
• Flexibility to work with CAD models created by other people, either customer or team members
• Development of analysis-only CAD models for structural, thermal, dynamic, and dimensional engineering analyses.
• Lead drafting decision making efforts, including making recommendations for GD&T
• Demonstrated knowledge of GD&T in accordance with ASME Y14.5
• Lead drafting decision making by interacting with colleagues and project leadership to present technical data packages, collaborate to make design decisions, and document comprehensive technical data packages in the form of 3D CAD models, and manufacturing/fabrication drawings.
• Lead reverse engineering activities by creating 3D CAD models and/or drawings from data that is extracted from legacy weapons, equipment and/or structures.
• Manage individual and drafting team work contributions under limited supervision.

 Additional Consideration for:

• Professional certification in mechanical drafting
• Familiarity with generation of mechanical drawings for complex machined parts
• Professional certification in Solidworks
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes and GD&T for non-metallic materials (G10, Carbon Fiber, Explosives, Reactive Materials)
• Advanced knowledge of GD&T in accordance with ASME Y14.5
• Familiarity with creation of drawings and schematics for electromechanical systems
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with PDMLink and Solidworks
• Demonstrated knowledge of CAD integration within Aras Innovator
• Strong understanding of aerospace and defense engineering principles, materials and manufacturing processes.

 Company Details:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company known for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. We were founded in Albuquerque, NM in 1979 as the disco era was, thankfully, closing out and the personal computer era was beginning. We employ over 1,500 professionals and continue to grow. ARA offices throughout the U.S. and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, computer software, and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.

ARA takes pride in having a challenging culture where innovation & experimentation are the norm. At ARA, employees are our greatest assets, so we give our employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take active roles as owners. The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. The company realizes employee ownership spawn’s greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels.