Specialist, Structural Engineering

L3Harris Technologies•Huntsville, AL

About The Position

The Specialist, Structural Engineer performs structural analysis to verify that product designs meet structural performance requirements and assists with preliminary design verification. The role supports structural modeling and analysis for solid rocket motor (SRM) components throughout the product lifecycle, from early development through qualification and production. Work is performed under general oversight, with collaboration across disciplines, customer interaction, and contributions to technical excellence. The engineer analyzes SRM components, especially nozzles, as well as metallic and composite motor cases, insulation, and propellant grains. The work includes finite element modeling, developing and evaluating loads, validating numerical results with classical methods, integrating CAD geometry, assessing margins of safety, and communicating findings through reports and design reviews. The position contributes to flight-critical hardware and propulsion technologies supporting national defense initiatives. Travel is 10%. The role requires the ability to obtain a U.S. Secret security clearance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and at least 4 years of prior structural analysis experience; alternatively, a graduate degree and at least 2 years of prior structural analysis experience; or, in lieu of a degree, at least 8 years of prior structural analysis experience.
Ability to obtain a U.S. Secret security clearance.
Travel requirement of 10%.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or a related Engineering discipline.
Proven experience in linear, nonlinear, and dynamic structural analysis supporting the design and qualification of solid rocket motors.
Proficiency with finite element analysis tools such as ANSYS Mechanical; ANSYS MAPDL or Python scripting experience is highly desirable.
Familiarity with structural assessment and design of solid rocket motors.
Ability to interpret aerospace structural requirements and coordinate load development with cross-functional teams.
Working knowledge of structural instabilities, material nonlinearities, and coupled load environments.
Exposure to full-lifecycle aerospace SRM propulsion product development, from design through manufacturing and test.
Strong technical communication skills and proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

Drive structural analysis tasks for SRM components, particularly nozzles, and also metallic and composite motor cases, insulation, and propellant grains.
Ensure structural integrity across flight phases and ground handling.
Build and execute finite element models using ANSYS, ABAQUS, or comparable tools, including appropriate material definitions and nonlinear or temperature-dependent properties.
Collaborate with thermal, CFD, and performance teams to establish pressure, thermal-gradient, and mechanical loading conditions; derive boundary conditions and load cases when needed from mission and design requirements.
Use classical closed-form methods to validate and supplement numerical results, including for preliminary design trades and quick-turn assessments.
Import and simplify solid CAD models to create robust geometry suitable for analysis.
Determine margins of safety against yield, ultimate failure, buckling, high-cycle fatigue, low-cycle fatigue, and fracture using industry-standard practices and internal allowables.
Prepare technical reports, stress notes, and presentations that describe methods, assumptions, and conclusions for internal reviews and external customer delivery.
Participate in formal and informal design reviews and communicate results, trade-offs, and risks to multidisciplinary audiences, program management, and external customers.
Contribute to internal tool development, analysis automation, and knowledge capture to improve team efficiency and standardization.