Mechanical Engineer I - ARFF Program

About the Role

We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer to support the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Research Program. This full-time position is located in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. The selected individual will provide engineering expertise, design, system analysis, and problem-solving in support of research, testing, and evaluation of ARFF technologies and systems. The role involves conducting engineering analysis of mechanical component data and performing structured assignments across multiple ARFF research areas. The Mechanical Engineer will execute research and development projects, including development of test plans, experimental setups, data collection systems, and technical analyses, with minimal daily supervision.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute experiments involving fire testing, thermal systems, fluid flow, and mechanical systems.
• Develop test plans, engineering drawings, instrumentation layouts, and data acquisition systems.
• Provide engineering expertise in design, system analysis, and problem-solving to support ARFF research, testing, and operational activities.
• Prepare technical reports and research summaries, and present formal and technical information to internal teams, management, and FAA stakeholders.
• Perform data collection, reduction, and analysis to support research findings and technical conclusions.
• Support design, fabrication, installation, and validation of test articles, instrumentation, and experimental systems; identify and troubleshoot related technical issues.
• Conduct engineering analysis of data collected and perform structured work assignments in support of ARFF research.
• Maintain compliance with safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements during all activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited college or university with a curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
• Zero to five (0–5) years of relevant engineering experience.
• Ability to apply engineering principles—including mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and materials science—to solve technical problems.
• Familiarity with data collection, instrumentation, and engineering analysis tools.
• Strong technical writing skills, including the ability to prepare and present formal and technical information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Work involves exposure to outdoor conditions, fire testing environments, and use of personal protective equipment; firefighting experience is not required but strongly encouraged.
• Occasional travel required (approximately 2–3 times per year).
• Must be a U.S. citizen or foreign national who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting ARFF, fire testing, or fire protection research programs.
• Experience with evaluation of firefighting agents and tactics.
• Experience with computational modeling tools (e.g., CFD).
• Experience designing and implementing data acquisition and control systems (e.g., LabVIEW, MATLAB).
• Experience with fabrication, mechanical system integration, or instrumentation installation.
• Experience working in hazardous or industrial testing environments.
• Firefighting training or operational experience (e.g., ARFF, Firefighter I/II) strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with FAA research programs or aviation safety testing environments.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $58,500 – $83,400 per year. A candidate's salary is determined by various factors, including education, relevant work experience, skills, and certifications. Salary ranges may vary based on geographic location and market conditions.

Benefits

• Compressed work schedule: Every other Friday off.
• Hybrid work arrangement: 60% in-office and 40% remote, with Monday and Tuesday as common in-office days.
• Paid time off to support work-life balance.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and optional supplemental benefits.
• Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care, health support, and family formation support.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan: 5% employer contribution regardless of employee contribution, plus matching contributions.
• Tuition assistance for higher education.