Senior Engineer - Directed Energy Team & Capture Lead

Are you interested in leading and advancing Directed Energy system programs and capture efforts? Do you have experience with high-energy lasers and high-power microwaves? Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Senior Engineer to serve as a Team and Capture Lead for our Directed Energy Team within the Southwest Division in Albuquerque, NM. Join us in developing innovative solutions and advancing existing designs that support critical mission needs.

This position will include a mix of technical, business development, and program management skills to develop directed energy systems and related technologies. The ideal candidate will be capable of applying project leadership skills to the technical team for the design, fabrication and testing of advanced systems for the Defense Industry.  You will be looked to as a subject matter expert and lead the technical team in the day-to-day activities which include program scheduling, planning, budgeting, reporting, and proposals.  Come join an exciting employee-owned company solving complex problems of national security!

As a Directed Energy Team & Capture Lead with ARA you will:

• Work with high power microwave systems, electro-optics, laser (high and low power), optics, sensors and pointing.


• Integration and testing of directed energy systems.


• Develop technology demonstrations and field-testing campaigns.


• High Energy Laser (HEL), High Power Microwave (HPM), and directed energy weapons (DEW).


• Contribute to proposals and new program capture.


• Work with the defense industry and military customers.

Directed Energy Team Lead Engineer Requirements:

• US citizen with an active DoD Security Clearance or ability to obtain one.


• MS or Meng. in optical engineering, physics or related field.


• Strong system engineering hardware background.


• Able to lead teams, programs and business areas.


• Ability to handle technical project planning & monthly reporting including financials.


• Team player with excellent presentation and written/oral communication skills.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).


• Ability to understand and solve complex problems.


• Interest in learning new engineering tools and strong system engineering background.

Directed Energy Team Lead Engineer Preferences:

• Active DoD SECRET or higher security clearance.


• Experience working with DoD cloud-based tools.


• Understanding of DoD acquisitions processes.

Job Location:

• Onsite in Albuquerque, NM