Research Engineer I in at Arctos, LLC

ARCTOS Technology Solutions, LLC

arctos-us.com/careers/

OVERVIEW

Reach New Heights!

ARCTOS Technology Solutions, LLC (ARCTOS) is a fast-growing, technology-oriented small business providing aerospace, defense, and digital solutions, with offices and work sites across the United States. We’re looking for team-oriented innovators eager to tackle interesting challenges, work on important problems, and receive great benefits and employee support.

REQUIREMENT

ARCTOS is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Engineer to join our team supporting AFRL's High Speed Vehicles Division. This position focuses on advancing structural modeling, structural dynamics, and aerothermoelastic analysis capabilities for reusable hypersonic systems operating in extreme flight environments.

The successful candidate will develop computational and experimental methodologies that characterize how structural deformation, dynamic response, thermal loading, and material degradation influence vehicle behavior during high-speed flight. Emphasis will be placed on developing reduced-order structural models, digital twins, structural system identification techniques, and hybrid physics-informed methodologies that complement ARCTOS's aerodynamic surrogate modeling efforts.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Research Engineer will work with Government customers, other ARCTOS personnel, and other Government organizations and contractors in the performance of the following duties:

Structural Dynamics & Reduced-Order Modeling
Develop computational methods capable of efficiently predicting structural response of reusable hypersonic vehicles subjected to combined aerodynamic, thermal, and mechanical loading.

Develop reduced-order structural models that accurately capture

• nonlinear structural response
• modal evolution
• transient dynamics
• thermal softening
• large deformation
• stiffness degradation

Support development of computationally efficient structural models suitable for integration with aerodynamic surrogate models and multidisciplinary simulation environments.

Aerothermoelastic Modeling
Investigate coupled interactions between

• aerodynamic loading
• thermal response
• structural deformation
• material degradation

Develop methodologies capable of predicting how structural behavior modifies aerodynamic performance and how aerodynamic loading drives structural response.

Collaborate closely with researchers developing aerodynamic surrogate models to establish tightly coupled aerothermoelastic analysis workflows.

Experimental Validation
Support planning and execution of AFRL experimental campaigns involving

• hypersonic wind tunnel testing
• optical diagnostics
• pressure-sensitive paint
• Digital Image Correlation
• Schlieren imaging
• structural instrumentation

Use validation-quality datasets to improve computational models and quantify prediction uncertainty.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

EDUCATIONAL, CLEARANCE AND CERTIFICATION

• Primary work environment is a standard office setting.

TRAVEL

• Occasional travel is expected and will be performed under the guidelines of Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) and/or Joint Travel Regulations (JTR)

BENEFITS

401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Matching; Health Insurance & HSA; Dental & Vision Insurance; Company Paid Life Insurance, AD&D and Short-Term Disability; Paid Time Off, Volunteer Time Off; Employee Assistance Program

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location.

ARCTOS and its subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. We look forward to reviewing your application!