Structural Analyst

Responsibilities

• Perform structural analyses of aerospace components and assemblies using finite element analysis (FEA) and classical hand calculations
• Support the design and optimization of primary and secondary structures for strength, stiffness, fatigue, and stability requirements
• Develop, refine, and validate finite element models for metallic and composite structures
• Evaluate structural performance under static, dynamic, thermal, vibration, and launch or flight loading conditions
• Develop structural analysis plans, reports, and verification documentation to support design reviews and flight qualification
• Support design reviews by communicating analytical results, assumptions, margins, and recommendations to multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Work closely with design, manufacturing, test, and systems engineers to improve structural performance while meeting mass, cost, and schedule targets
• Interpret test data and correlate analytical models with experimental results
• Support root-cause investigations and structural assessments for hardware anomalies and test failures

Requirements

• BS or MS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• 1+ years of structural analysis experience (or equivalent internship, research, or university project experience)
• Proficiency with finite element analysis software (Femap/Nastran preferred)
• Experience developing finite element models and applying analytical methods to support structural design decisions
• Demonstrated understanding of structural sizing and designing for minimum mass while maintaining adequate strength and stiffness margins
• Experience performing strength assessments for metallic structures and mechanical joints
• Demonstrated ability to independently drive technical work, solve engineering problems, and communicate effectively in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment
• Willing and able to travel to support off-site testing as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience developing, building, and testing spacecraft hardware, including ownership from initial design through qualification and production handoff
• Experience supporting engineering trade studies involving structural architecture, material selection, composites, mass optimization, manufacturability, and cost
• Experience supporting spacecraft structural verification, including environmental testing (quasi-static, random vibration, sine vibration, acoustic, shock), test planning, sensor selection, force limiting, and test execution
• Experience correlating finite element models with structural test data
• Able to review and work directly with CAD geometry (SolidWorks preferred)
• Experience developing analysis automation tools using the Femap API, Python, MATLAB, or similar scripting languages
• Experience or interest in thermal analysis and collaborating closely with thermal engineers