Senior Mechanical Engineer

Space Dynamics Laboratory•North Logan, UT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

At Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), this role involves leading the structural engineering of advanced electro-optical and infrared (IR) satellite payloads for national security and space missions. The work focuses on ensuring hardware survives launch, operates in space, and delivers mission-critical performance for real flight systems. The position is for an experienced Mechanical Engineer within the Civil & Commercial Space Division, where the candidate will be responsible for structural performance throughout the full lifecycle, from early design and finite element analysis (FEA) through environmental testing. The Civil & Commercial Space Division is dedicated to scientific research and space exploration, providing calibrated state-of-the-art sensors and satellites, AI&T technologies, and mission management for major Government and commercial missions. Projects span planetary science, Earth observation, heliophysics, and astrophysics, contributing to scientific discoveries.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering
~10+ years of experience in structural analysis, FEA, or mechanical engineering for aerospace, space, or high-performance systems
Strong experience with finite element analysis (FEA) tools (NX Nastran, Femap, ANSYS, or similar)
Experience with vibration analysis, modal analysis, and structural dynamics
Ability to lead complex engineering efforts from analysis through validation
Must be a U.S. citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance

Nice To Haves

Experience with satellite systems, space payloads, or optical instruments
Background in cryogenic systems or thermal-structural analysis
Expertise in: Fastened joint analysis
Expertise in: Jitter / vibro-acoustic analysis
Expertise in: Nonlinear FEA (contact, large deformation)
Expertise in: Adhesive bonding or fracture mechanics
Familiarity with NASA standards (NASA-STD-5001, GEVS, etc.)
Master’s degree or PhD in mechanical or aerospace engineering
Active security clearance

Responsibilities

Lead structural design, analysis, and verification for satellite payloads, space instruments, and mechanical systems
Perform and guide finite element analysis (FEA) using tools such as NX Nastran, Femap, or similar
Analyze and validate performance under launch environments (random vibration, sine vibration, shock)
Evaluate thermal and cryogenic structural behavior, including thermal distortion and material properties
Conduct modal, dynamic, and nonlinear analysis of complex aerospace structures
Support environmental testing and structural verification (vibration testing, shock testing, etc.)
Serve as a technical authority in design reviews (PDR, CDR) and engineering decision-making