Electrical / Power Systems Engineer - Applied Research Associates, Inc

The Capital Area Division (CAD) of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) has an outstanding opportunity for an exceptional Electrical / Power Systems Engineer with experience in power generation and distribution systems. As part of the Counter-WMD Analysis Cell (CWAC), our tight-knit and highly focused team conducts detailed technical analyses of foreign, WMD-related industrial facilities, processes, and equipment using multiple intelligence sources, analytical tools, and engineering know-how. We also support a multi-disciplined team that performs Research & Development on technological applications for detecting, identifying, characterizing, modeling, and defeating WMD threats to support tactical and strategic planning efforts. In short, our CWAC team provides direct support to elements of the Intelligence Community, Combatant Command planning staffs, and operational units tasked with solving the most difficult problems involving the most dangerous weapons threatening the United States and its allies. The work is challenging, dynamic, relevant, and important to the security of the country.

Essential Functions:

• Identify and characterize power generation and distribution system equipment.
• Integrate an understanding of power system operations with industrial production processes to identify design flaws, capability limits, and potential failure mechanisms.
• Support exercises that test and/or demonstrate new technologies, methodologies, and analytical tools that are under development.
• Produce clearly written technical analyses and briefings at levels comprehensible to an audience ranging anywhere from the layperson to senior-level government representatives, to subject matter experts.
• Share expertise with junior counterparts.

Required Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent degree, or an advanced trade school certificate with extensive experience in the electrical field and power generation.
• 10+ years of experience solving electrical engineering problems
• Practical electrical systems knowledge gained through design, construction, or facilities management work experience.
• Working knowledge of the design and operation of power-generation plants (diesel, gas turbine, hydroelectric, nuclear, and/or coal-fired), main- and low-voltage transformer substations, power distribution grids, uninterruptible power supplies, and related components & subsystems.
• Expert knowledge and use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Must be a US Citizen
• An active SECRET clearance and ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI and pass a Counter-Intelligence polygraph.

Preferred Skills:

• Top Secret or higher security clearance.
• Direct experience supporting reverse engineering, threat analysis, and vulnerability/survivability assessments of WMD-related facilities, processes, and infrastructure (to include underground facilities)
• Working knowledge of power system engineering/simulation software tools such as ETAP, NEPLAN, NAP, etc.
• Military or defense-related experience and an understanding of operational planning and functional defeat of hard targets and underground facilities
• Working knowledge of engineering, 3D modeling, and geospatial analytical tools to include AutoCAD, ArcGIS, MatLab, SketchUp, Skyline Software, RemoteView, etc.

Keywords: "commercial power engineer"; "industrial power" ; "power distribution" ; high-voltage ; powerplant ;  "hydroelectric power plant"

COMPANY INFORMATION:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 1200 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership generates greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com.

Please apply at www.careers.ara.com for the Electrical / Power Systems Engineer position.

Experience

• 10 - 12 years: Relevant work experience

Education

• Bachelors or better in Electrical Engineering or related field

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)