Loads & Dynamics Engineer - Lunar Terrain Vehicle

Intuitive Machines LLC • Houston, TX

87d

About The Position

Intuitive Machines is seeking a talented and experienced Loads & Dynamics Engineer to join our dynamic team. As a Loads & Dynamics Engineer, you will be responsible for analyzing and predicting the dynamic loads experienced by our aerospace vehicles. Employment in this role is contingent upon NASA selecting Intuitive Machines as the winner of the LTVS program, scheduled for announcement later in 2025.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field
• Various levels experience in structural dynamics, vibration, and/or launch vehicle dynamic analysis
• Proficient with performing analytical simulations in software such as NASTRAN, Simcenter 3D, MATLAB, Python
• Ability to solve a variety of static and dynamic structural problems using physics-based analytical methods (hand calculations, in-house tools, and 3rd party commercial analytical tools)
• Proficiency with signal analysis and processing in both time and frequency domains
• Experience with vibration and shock testing, from writing test plans, execution, and interpretation of results
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and make informed engineering decisions.
• Experience with coupled loads analysis on launch vehicles
• Experience with launch vehicle dynamic environments analysis
• Experience with modal testing and modal correlation
• Familiarity with relevant SMC / Range / NASA standards for analysis and test
• Experience with use of test / flight data to verify FEM results

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive loads analysis to determine the external forces and moments acting on aerospace vehicles during various phases of flight, including ascent, descent, and landing.
• Perform dynamic modeling and simulation of aerospace vehicles to predict and analyze their structural response to external loads, including aerodynamic, inertial, acoustic, and gravitational forces.
• Collaborate with flight test engineers to design and implement test plans for providing input on load measurement systems and instrumentation.
• Work closely with structural engineers and designers to optimize vehicle structures and components for weight efficiency, structural integrity, and dynamic performance.
• Conduct vibration analysis and modal testing to characterize the dynamic behavior of aerospace structures and subsystems, identifying potential resonance frequencies and mode shapes.
• Define safe operating limits and flight envelopes based on loads and dynamics analysis results, considering factors such as aerodynamic loading, structural strength, and performance requirements.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, documentation, and presentations to communicate analysis results, findings, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and customers.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees