Scientific Programmer / Analyst at Applied Research Associates, Inc in Santa Barbara, California

Job Description:

Applied Research Associates is looking for an experienced and driven scientist interested in understanding electromagnetic (EM) environments, predicting the effects of EM fields and ionizing radiation on electronics, and hardening systems to EM fields and ionizing radiation. The right candidate will be a dedicated and agile problem-solver anxious to join a team studying the effects of electromagnetic threats, such as those from nuclear detonations.

Candidates must be flexible scientists, as the team works on multiple projects at a time. These projects range from model development, software design, and coding to on-site hardening analysis and survivability testing.

In addition to providing technical expertise across the spectrum of EM problems, the candidate may be asked to lead tasks with a small, diverse team of scientists and engineers. Over time, this leadership may expand from day-to-day mentoring and development of junior staff to working with more senior staff members on proposals and portfolio development.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher along with 7-9 years' experience. Equivalent professional experience (13+ years) will be considered for talented candidates without a degree. Due to the nature of work candidates must be U.S. citizens eligible for a Department of Defense Secret, or higher, level security clearance.

Your experience should include time spent as a productive team member on one or more of the following: nuclear EMP, electromagnetics, hardening/survivability, or HPM. In this role, you will be a developing subject matter expert who is looking forward to working on some of the government’s hardest problems.

Additional Scientific Programmer/Analyst skills that will lead to success in this role:

• Strong analytic, written and oral communication skills.


• Demonstrated successful independent research.


• Experience implementing numerical methods.


• Proficient in object-oriented programming in C++ or C#.


• Experience developing applications for high-performance computing systems.


• Fluency in command-line interface with Linux and Windows.

What makes a great team member at ARA?

• You enjoy working on a wide range of problems.


• You enjoy tackling new problems and diving into scientific fields that might be new to you.


• You know how to learn and aren’t afraid to ask questions.


• You enjoy peeling back the layers of challenging problems, even if it means you might have to start your approach over again as you learn more information.


• You are enthusiastic, have initiative and a positive “can do” attitude.


• You have a strong work ethic.


• You enjoy learning from and teaching other team members.


• You are a reliable and flexible team member.

Examples of what you might be doing on a day-to-day basis:

• Developing models for EM propagation and current coupling to Bayesian statistics and atmospheric chemistry.


• Debugging Windows (C++, C#, XAML) code for our flagship GUI program.


• Scripting Matlab to test a theory you have against some historical data.


• Presenting slides to government customers.


• Writing (and editing) a report on using some data our group in a new way.


• Reviewing a test layout after helping the team set it up at a remote location.

About Us:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (aka ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company known for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. We were founded in Albuquerque, NM in 1979 as the disco era was, thankfully, closing out and the personal computer era was beginning. We employ over 1,400 professionals and continue to grow. ARA offices throughout the U.S. and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.

While this is all of the Year One and Beyond stuff, Day One is highly impressive too. These are things like our competitive salary (DOE), Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), benefits package, relocation opportunities, and a challenging culture where innovation & experimentation are the norm. At ARA, employees are our greatest assets so we give our employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take active roles as owners. The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience.  The company realizes employee ownership spawns greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels.

ARA is passionate about inclusion and diversity in our workplace. In 2018 40% of our new employees voluntarily self-identified as protected veterans. (Source-AAP EOY 2018 Veterans Data Collection Report). For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please apply at careers.ara.com.

Experience

Required

• 4 - 6 years: Scientific Analysis, Modeling & Programming Experience


• 7 - 9 years: Relevant Experience

Education

Required

• Bachelors or better

Preferred

• Masters or better

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)

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