Structural Dynamics Engineer II

About Firefly Aerospace

As an end-to-end responsive space company, Firefly Aerospace is on a mission to enable our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. Our small- to medium-lift launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles allow us to service the entire lifecycle of government and commercial missions from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. We utilize carbon composite structures, patented propulsion technologies, and common components across our vehicles to iterate quickly, improve reliability, and deliver payloads at a lower cost.

Responsibilities

• Dynamic Environment
  • Derive levels using flight data as well as duration using SMC-S-016 method and damage based analysis
  • Derive lift off random vibration level using NASA-SP8072
  • Derive ascent random vibration level using barret method, spann method or other empirical method to support early design cycles
  • Applies advanced signal-processing techniques for root-cause analysis and anomaly resolution
  • Shock
    • Derive levels using flight data
    • Derive levels using source shock amplitude and transmissibility as well as attenuation
• Engine dynamics
  • Serves as recognized authority on shock attenuation and transmissibility mechanisms
  • Utilizes vibro-acoustic software to investigate and resolve shock-related phenomena
  • Leads rotor-dynamics analyses to evaluate pump bearing and impeller blade performance
  • Provides technical direction for engine test-stand instrumentation (accelerometers, microphones, pressure transducers, and specialized sensors)
  • Processes and interprets engine test data (acceleration, acoustic, and pressure) to support anomaly resolution and design improvements
  • Applies flow-induced vibration (FIV) principles to pressurized line-set and component design
  • Analyzes acoustic cavities and their coupling effects on engine vibration response
• Advanced Structural Dynamics Methods
  • Applies frequency-based substructuring (FBS) techniques to integrate test and analysis models
  • Develops Craig-Bampton reduced-order models in Nastran for spacecraft delivery to launch-vehicle providers in support of coupled-loads analysis (CLA)
  • Defines and implements custom Craig-Bampton reduction processes when standard outputs require custom recovery

Qualifications

• Required Education: Bachelor’s degree (Master’s or PhD strongly preferred) in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Experience: 1+ years of progressive experience in structural dynamics, with a strong emphasis on high-frequency dynamic environments for launch vehicles or spacecraft.
• Technical Expertise: Deep domain expertise in: Random vibration and shock environment derivation (flight data, SMC-S-016, NASA-SP-8072, Barrett/Spann methods, damage-based analysis) Rotor dynamics, flow-induced vibration (FIV), and engine acoustics Shock transmissibility, attenuation mechanisms, and vibro-acoustic analysis Frequency-based substructuring (FBS) and Craig-Bampton model reduction techniques
• Software & Tools: Proficiency Advanced proficiency in Nastran (including custom Craig-Bampton reduction) and Femap Strong programming skills in Python (pandas, numpy, scipy, and signal processing libraries) Experience with Wave6 or equivalent vibro-acoustic software MATLAB for data analysis and visualization Familiarity with Pyyeti, PyNastran, IMAT, or similar aerospace dynamics toolsets
• Core Competencies: Proven ability to independently derive, validate, and defend complex dynamic environments Expert-level signal processing for root-cause analysis (FFT, PSD, filtering, windowing, etc.) Demonstrated success delivering Craig-Bampton reduced models for coupled loads analysis (CLA) to launch vehicle providers Strong technical leadership and mentoring capabilities Excellent technical writing and presentation skills for program leadership and external customers

Benefits

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.