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Mechanical Engineer

Arete Associates

Falls Church, VA 22042 • $84,000 to $115,000 / yr • 9/25/2026

Engineering , Mechanics , Professional , Skilled & Trades , Manufacturing

Job Description

Job Description

AtAret,weareontheforefrontofutilizinginnovativesolutions,withgreatmindsfromallbackgrounds,tohelpsolve the nation’s most complex security challenges. We strive for an inclusive, collaborative team environment that approaches differences as opportunities for innovation and excellence. As an employee-owned company, we foster an atmosphere that propels diverse career opportunities and professional growth.

Discover your future with us.

Our Falls Church, VA office has an immediate opening for a Mechanical Engineer.This is an exempt, non-supervisory, full-time position.

Primary responsibilities:

  • Develop system specifications / requirements
  • Conceptual design of custom mechanical components / component selection
  • Prepares calculations, models, and simulations to predict mechanical system performance
  • Supports or runs design reviews / technical briefings as required
  • Create detailed drawings for manufacture
  • Generate assembly drawings / instructions
  • Coordinate quoting process / fabrication support
  • Generate assembly and test documentation / procedures / fixtures as required.
  • Assemble and test systems
  • Support lab and field test experiments
  • Travel typically 10-20%

We have an impressive range of benefits, programs, and perks that we offer:

Health & Wellness:

  • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Life and Long-Term Disability (LTD)
  • Vision Reimbursement
  • Fitness Reimbursement

Financial:

  • Company-funded 5% contribution to your 401(k) retirement plan
  • Company-funded 5% contribution to your Employee Stock Ownership Plan
  • Continuing Education Assistance

Work-Life Balance:

  • Flexible Scheduling
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Paid Parental and Bereavement Leave

What We Value:

  • Creativity and innovation in solving challenges
  • Integrity and responsibility in all actions
  • Collaborationacrossteamsandspecialties
  • Responsivenessinfast-pacedenvironments
  • Passion for national security and excellence

Experiences and Background We Look For (Required Skills):

  • BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, or equivalent
  • Experience with CAD software (Creo preferred)
  • Experience with FEA software (ANSYS preferred)
  • Comfortable in a hands-on general machine shop environment (operation of machine shop equipment is a plus)
  • Ability to implement hardware solutions
  • Proficient use of standard MS Office software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
  • Able to obtain a security clearance (current security clearance is preferred)
  • Able to support outdoor field tests, lab assembly, test and integration hands-on tasking, occasional lifting of hardware as required, occasional travel

Nice to have (Preferred Skills):

  • Experience with designing, building, or testing undersea or airborne systems is a plus
  • Experience and continued interest in robotics or mechatronic systems
  • Experience with UUV’s or AUV’s
  • Python or Arduino experience
  • Comfortable in adapting to support a wide variety of roles to support different types of development projects
  • Intellectual curiosity and desire for continuous learning
  • Skilled and innovative problem solver
  • Works well independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
  • Strong work ethic
  • Detail oriented
  • Independently perform research of available literature to fill in knowledge gaps as needed

The salary range for this role is $84,000 to $115,000; however, Arete considers several factors when extending an offer of employment, including but not limited to: the position and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

Other Considerations

Aretiscommittedtotheprinciplesofequalemploymentopportunityandnondiscrimination,andwebelieveevery person has the right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and equal consideration.

AretisanEqualOpportunityemployer.Allqualifiedapplicantswillreceiveconsiderationforemployment withoutregardtorace,color,religion,sex,genderidentity,maritalstatus,nationalorigin,age,veteranstatus, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

U.S.citizenshipisrequiredtomeetpositioneligibility.

Successfulpassageofacriminalbackgroundscreenisrequiredtomeetpositioneligibility.

Selectedapplicantswillbesubjecttoagovernmentsecurityinvestigationandmustmeeteligibilityrequirementsfor access to classified information.

Aretwillconsiderforemploymentqualifiedapplicantswithcriminalhistoriesinamannerconsistentwiththerequirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

SuccessfulpassageofaDepartmentofTransportation(DOT)drugtestisrequiredtomeetpositioneligibility.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website because of your disability. To request an accommodation, please contact Aret Human Resources at for assistance.