DescriptionWe are seeking a
Senior Mechanical Engineer specializing in 3D Facility Characterization to directly support the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). This is a full-time, on-site position located at
Kirtland Air Force Base (AFB) in Albuquerque, NM.
In this role, you will serve as the principal technical authority responsible for reverse-engineering, modeling, and structurally characterizing
Underground Facilities (UGFs) and hardened deeply buried targets (HDBTs). You will utilize advanced geospatial imaging, LiDAR, and computer-aided engineering (CAE) to reconstruct complex, highly confined subterranean environments into high-fidelity 3D CAD geometries. These mechanical frameworks will directly drive blast-effects modeling, weapon penetration assessments, and subsequent hazard predictions to safeguard the Joint Force.
Key Responsibilities- 3D Subterranean Characterization: Lead the mechanical reconstruction and volumetric modeling of complex UGFs, mapping intricate internal geometries, structural reinforcements, ventilation networks, and geological interfaces.
- CAD & Finite Element Integration: Develop high-fidelity 3D CAD assemblies of underground infrastructure to serve as the baseline geometries for Hydrocode, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solvers.
- M&S Boundary Condition Support: Ensure 3D characterization datasets seamlessly interface with DoD hazard prediction and transport toolsets, specifically providing structural volume data for HPAC and VLSTRACK environmental dispersion models.
- Data Fusion (LiDAR/Photogrammetry): Direct the processing and synthesis of terrestrial LiDAR, point clouds, structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry, and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to build accurate subterranean twins.
- Structural Material Characterization: Analyze the mechanical and geomechanical properties of surrounding rock mass, concrete linings, and blast doors to assess vulnerabilities against kinetic and non-kinetic defeat concepts.
- Physical Test Integration: Collaborate with Kirtland-based Test & Evaluation (T&E) teams to physically validate 3D model accuracy against post-detonation structural damage and tunnel collapse data.
- Technical Leadership: Mentor junior to mid-level mechanical engineers and spatial data analysts at Kirtland AFB in advanced geometric modeling and structural vulnerability workflows.
- Interagency Collaboration: Present highly technical 3D facility models, vulnerability assessments, and reverse-engineering methodologies to executive DTRA leadership, combatant commands (COCOMs), and intelligence community stakeholders.
Required Qualifications- Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil/Structural Engineering (with heavy structural dynamics/geo-mechanical focus), Aerospace Engineering, or a highly relevant STEM discipline; Master's degree or Doctorate (Ph.D.) preferred.
- Experience: Minimum of 10+ years of progressive engineering experience, with a heavy emphasis on 3D geometric modeling, reverse engineering, and structural characterization of complex facilities or hardened structures.
- Specialized Domain Expertise: Mastery of advanced 3D CAD environments (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo, Autodesk) and spatial processing software to model complex Underground Facilities (UGFs) or deeply buried target geometry.
- Predictive Tool Familiarity: Strong working knowledge of how structural volume data and internal facility layouts constrain DoD hazard prediction toolsets, specifically Hazard Prediction and Assessment Capability (HPAC) and Vapor, Liquid, and Solid Tracking (VLSTRACK).
- Security Clearance: An active U.S. Government Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance
- Technical Stack: Experience with point cloud processing tools (e.g., CloudCompare, Cyclone) and scripting languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB) to manipulate large spatial datasets.
Preferred Experience- Hydrocode & FEA Familiarity: Hands-on experience preparing 3D facility geometries for high-rate physics solvers such as LS-DYNA, ANSYS Autodyn, or CTH.
- Subterranean Sensors: Experience working with terrestrial laser scanners, mobile mapping systems, or robotic platforms optimized for GPS-denied underground environment mapping.
