LufCo is seeking a Survivability Engineer to serve as the lead architect for the electrical and mechanical integrity of integrated hardware, computing, and communication systems. This role focuses on designing ruggedized enclosures and ensuring systems survive extreme tactical conditions including shock, vibration, and environmental exposure.
What You'll Do
- Lead the ground-up mechanical design of ruggedized enclosures and internal sub-frames
- Responsible for the primary load paths and structural survival of the entire integrated system
- Identify and mitigate mechanical vulnerabilities in high-density computing and communication hardware
- Reinforce un-ruggedized cards, secure high-speed cabling, and harden RF connectors against shear forces
- Design bespoke internal 'exo-skeletons' and isolation strategies for commercial servers, switches, and radios
- Design and integrate complex isolation systems including wire-rope, elastomeric, or 3D-printed energy-absorbing lattices
- Tune isolation systems to protect delicate internal electronics from tactical vehicle vibration and high-impact events
- Leverage Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) to create hyper-optimized, lightweight structures
- Use additive manufacturing for part consolidation, weight reduction, and conformal structural supports
- Design and validate IP67/68-rated seals
- Ensure chassis architecture accounts for pressure equalization during rapid altitude changes
- Prevent ingress of sand, dust, and salt fog
- Perform high-fidelity Finite Element Analysis (FEA), including linear/non-linear dynamics and fatigue analysis
- Simulate environmental and operational stress profiles
- Direct all structural validation and correlation efforts
- Ensure bespoke designs and integrated hardware meet or exceed MIL-STD-810H and MIL-S-901D requirements
- Design Faraday cages and select conductive gaskets for RF shielding
- Ensure high-speed processors do not interfere with adjacent radio receivers
- Optimize Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP-C) in expeditionary gear
What We're Looking For
- BS in Electrical, Electronics, or Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field
- US citizenship is a must
- Ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance
- 7+ years of experience in electro-mechanical design and systems integration
- Experience in Defense, Aerospace, or Ruggedized Industrial sectors
- Expert proficiency in FEA dynamics tools (e.g., Ansys Mechanical, Abaqus, LS-DYNA, or Simcenter 3D)
- Proven track record of designing complex mechanical assemblies
- Experience hardening commercial electronics for high-reliability military use
- Expertise in interpreting Power Spectral Density (PSD) and shock response spectra (SRS)
- Mastery of MIL-STD-810H (Vibration/Shock/Drop), MIL-S-901D, and MIL-STD-1472
- Expertise in MIL-DTL-38999 circular connectors and high-speed fiber optic interconnects
- Understanding of MIL-STD-1275/704 for protecting computing gear from dirty power
Nice to Have
- MS in Engineering or related field
- Experience with generative design and lattice-optimization tools (e.g., nTopology or Altair Inspire)
- Deep knowledge of fatigue limits and anisotropic properties of AM-produced alloys
- Knowledge of galvanic compatibility in expeditionary environments
Technical Stack
- Ansys Mechanical
- Abaqus
- LS-DYNA
- Simcenter 3D
- nTopology
- Altair Inspire
- Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM)
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
- Power Spectral Density (PSD)
- Shock Response Spectra (SRS)
- MIL-STD-810H
- MIL-S-901D
- MIL-STD-1472
- MIL-DTL-38999
- MIL-STD-1275
- MIL-STD-704
- IP67
- IP68
Team & Environment
Reports to APM Hardware. Work within a collaborative engineering team focused on impactful national security solutions.
Benefits & Compensation
- Competitive salary
- Generous PTO
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401K matching
- Tuition reimbursement
- Career growth opportunities
- Professional development
- Training
- Collaborative environment
- Cutting-edge technology
- Impactful work in national security
Compensation: $130,000 to $180,000 annually, with Blue Award level referral bonus.
Work Mode
Onsite in Aberdeen, MD. Standard office environment with occasional requirements to visit client sites, labs, or field environments.
LufCo provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
