Structural Analyst

Role overview Analyze and validate the structural performance of spacecraft hardware, including primary and secondary structures, payloads, mechanisms, electronic packaging, and composite components. You’ll use finite element models and hand calculations to support design decisions, qualification, and mission requirements, working closely with engineers across disciplines.

Responsibilities - Perform structural analysis using finite element methods and hand calculations, and develop conceptual models for proposals and trade studies. - Assess how design changes, materials, manufacturing methods, and interfaces affect structural performance. - Prepare stress analysis reports and presentation materials for design reviews. - Support structural tests by contributing to plans and fixtures, correlating finite element models, and verifying requirements. - Coordinate with mechanical, systems, materials, and thermal engineering teams to improve hardware performance. - Apply relevant aerospace standards and clearly communicate findings to program teams, leaders, and customers.

Requirements - Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field. - At least 4 years of structural analysis experience with spaceflight hardware. - Proficiency with MSC or Simcenter Nastran for static, modal, buckling, and frequency response analysis. - Proficiency with Simcenter Femap for modeling and post-processing. - Working knowledge of aerospace materials and processes, including metals, polymers, composites, and fasteners. - Familiarity with structural analysis and test methods such as vibration, shock, fatigue, fracture mechanics, laminate theory, thermoelastic analysis, and bonded or bolted joint analysis. - Experience applying aerospace standards to structural design, testing, and qualification, and producing clear technical documentation.

Nice to have - Experience with electronic packaging analysis, including printed wiring assemblies, solder-joint fatigue, connector reliability, and thermal-mechanical interactions. - Familiarity with launch environments and semi-empirical methods such as Bruhn or ECSS. - Coding experience in Python or MATLAB.