Lead, Mechanical Engineer - Structural Analyst (Space Systems)
About The Position
The Lead, Mechanical Engineer – Structural Analyst performs and leads structural analysis of complex space systems, including optomechanical assemblies, precision structures, mechanisms, and electronic packaging. This expert-level role requires mastery of sophisticated analysis techniques, technical leadership across programs, mentoring of junior staff, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to ensure structural integrity and system performance from concept through flight. The role develops analysis strategies and plans, leads finite element modeling, validates analysis approaches, and serves as a technical authority for structural analysis methods and best practices. It also provides technical leadership across major programs, supports design and program activities throughout the development cycle, and contributes to risk mitigation, manufacturing support, proposals, and technical planning. The selected candidate must be able to obtain a U.S. security clearance.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering/science discipline and at least 9 years of relevant experience; or a graduate degree and at least 7 years of related experience; or, in lieu of a degree, at least 13 years of relevant experience.
- At least 3 years of experience working on aerospace programs.
- At least 3 years of experience with Nastran; this is required.
- Professional experience performing structural analysis of aerospace systems.
- Experience with NASA or DoD structural design standards and requirements.
- Ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance.
Nice To Haves
- Active TS/SCI clearance.
- Experience with commercial pre/post processors, with Femap or Patran preferred.
- Experience with optomechanical systems and precision structures.
- Composite structure design and analysis experience.
- Advanced dynamic analysis and test correlation experience.
- Fracture and damage tolerance analysis experience.
- Jitter/microvibration analysis experience.
- Electronic packaging analysis experience.
- On-orbit thermoelastic (STOP) analysis experience.
- Programming or scripting experience with MATLAB, Python, or Fortran for analysis automation and tool development.
- Prior experience as a technical lead, project engineer, IPT lead, or chief engineer.
- Experience supporting proposal development and cost/schedule estimation.
Responsibilities
- Lead the development of analysis strategies and approaches for complex space structures.
- Interpret system specifications and develop comprehensive analysis plans with minimal direction.
- Lead development of finite element models of complex space structures, including composites, metallics, and glass.
- Validate analysis approaches through correlation with test data and hand calculations.
- Serve as a technical authority for structural analysis methods and best practices.
- Perform and review analyses of structural responses to ground, test, launch, and on-orbit environments, including strength and stability, modal characteristics and dynamic response, vibroacoustic environments, thermoelastic response and STOP analysis, optomechanical performance, and fatigue/fracture assessments.
- Work independently on complex, high-visibility programs.
- Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior and mid-level analysts.
- Lead technical reviews and provide expert recommendations to program leadership.
- Prepare technical reports, analysis documentation, and presentations for internal reviews and customer deliverables.
- Support and lead design reviews, trade studies, and design optimization efforts.
- Interface with design engineers, systems engineering, and test organizations.
- Serve as structural analysis lead or subject matter expert on major programs.
- Contribute to requirements definition, concept trades, preliminary and final design, component selection, and integration/test support.
- Support manufacturing operations and provide technical guidance.
- Lead risk identification and mitigation activities.
- Support proposal development and technical planning efforts.
Benefits
- Health and disability insurance
- 401(k) match
- Flexible spending accounts
- Employee assistance program (EAP)
- Education assistance
- Parental leave
- Paid time off
- Company-paid holidays
- Relocation assistance for qualified applicants
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
