Engineer III

Piper Companies is seeking an Engineer III with a background in ballistics to support a federal defense program based in Alabama. This is a full-time, onsite role and open to candidates willing to relocate.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support engineering projects focused on internal, external, and terminal ballistics.
• Plan and carry out experiments, including building test fixtures, gathering data, and analyzing results.
• Use simulation software to model projectile motion and system performance.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to assist in testing and evaluation of high-speed projectiles.
• Prepare technical documentation and present findings to internal and external teams.
• Operate specialized testing equipment such as high-speed video systems, velocity gates, and data acquisition tools.

Required Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizenship and active Secret clearance.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• Hands-on experience in ballistics, demonstrated through one or more of the following:
  • Working with firearms or weapon systems
  • Designing or testing ammunition or projectiles
  • Using simulation tools to model trajectories
  • Conducting forensic analysis of ballistic impacts
  • Engineering roles in defense or aerospace industries
  • Military or law enforcement experience involving weapons

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Comfortable working with high-velocity projectiles and experimental setups.
• Experience building custom test rigs and using advanced data collection systems.
• Skilled in fixture design using SolidWorks or other CAD software.
• Proficient in MATLAB for modeling and data analysis.
• Willingness to work in environments involving cadaver testing is a plus.
• Published work or documented projects in ballistics or related technical areas.

Compensation:

• Rate Range: $35-50/ hr