Senior Structural Dynamics Analyst, Deployable Antenna Structures

E-Space•Arlington, TX

8d•$140,000 - $210,000•Onsite

About The Position

E-Space is seeking a Senior Structural Dynamics Analyst to own the structural analysis backbone of its Integrated Antenna Structure team. The role focuses on a large deployable spacecraft antenna that, once deployed, is large, lightweight, compliant, geometrically nonlinear, and characterized by low-frequency first modes. This is a senior individual-contributor position: the analyst personally builds and runs the models rather than directing others to do so. The analyst will own the integrated finite element model (FEM) of the deployed antenna assembly, predict structural dynamics, correlate the model against test data, and allocate structural requirements from the system level to contributing teams. The work includes deployed-state performance, antenna deployment behavior, stowed-assembly vibration and shock testing, structural risk assessment, and anomaly investigations. This is a structural dynamics role rather than a static-strength or detail-stress role. The position is based on-site in Arlington, Texas, and requires hands-on bench work and presence at test facilities. Some travel between sites is expected. The role is full-time and exempt, with flexibility to occasionally work extended hours or weekends during critical periods. The listed annual salary range is $140,000–$210,000.

Requirements

BS, MS, Ph.D. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent.
Structural dynamics must be the primary discipline, with demonstrated experience in modal analysis, frequency response, and eigenvalue methods.
Proficiency in finite element analysis using Nastran, ANSYS, Abaqus, or an equivalent tool for modal, static, and linear-dynamics problems.
Personal responsibility for at least one model-test correlation against modal or vibration test data, including diagnosing a case where model and test disagreed.
Ability to build and maintain a system-level integrated FEM using inputs from multiple contributing teams at different fidelity levels.
Structural analysis experience with flight or high-reliability hardware, including margins and requirements compliance.
Flexibility to occasionally work extended hours or weekends during critical periods.
Work authorization for the location of the role; the company is not currently able to provide employment sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

The preferred qualifications repeat the listed required qualifications: an Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering degree or equivalent; structural dynamics as the primary discipline; FEA proficiency; personal model-test correlation experience; integrated system-level FEM experience; and structural analysis of flight or high-reliability hardware.

Responsibilities

Own the integrated FEM of the deployed antenna assembly, combining stiffness and mass properties from component teams at varying levels of fidelity and identifying weaknesses in the combined model.
Perform deployed-state structural performance analysis, including modal survey prediction, static deflection under on-orbit thermal and attitude-control loads, and margin-of-safety verification.
Develop and maintain structural requirements allocation and the error budget; flow system-level performance requirements down to component-level stiffness, mass, and CTE requirements, and track margin consumption as the design changes.
Lead model-test correlation at each level of the V&V test pyramid, produce pre-test predictions, update model parameters only when physically justified by test data, and maintain a documented correlation record.
Analyze antenna deployment kinematics, tensioning loads, deployment force margins, and deployment dynamics; provide test predictions to the Mechanical Test Engineer and help distinguish gravity-offload rig effects from antenna behavior.
Provide pre-test predictions and structural-response interpretation for vibration and shock testing of the stowed antenna assembly, working with the Mechanical Test Engineer.
Assess structural risk associated with design changes and interface deviations, and provide structural input to anomaly investigations.