Structural Analysis Engineer IV

Astronics Corporation

3d • $110,000 - $154,000

About The Position

Astronics Connectivity Systems and Certification (Astronics CSC), formerly Telefonix PDT and Astronics Armstrong Aerospace, provides in-flight entertainment and connectivity solutions and systems certification services for commercial and business aircraft. The company employs over 300 people and has received Chicago’s Best and Brightest Employers to Work For award six times.

Structural Analysis Engineers help ensure product and installation performance and robustness through finite element analysis, empirical analysis, and physical testing. The Structural Analysis Engineer IV performs structural substantiation for aircraft modifications, including commercial aircraft radome installations, in support of STC and OEM certification programs. The role develops and evaluates finite element models and classical analyses, prepares certification documentation, and works with design, certification, manufacturing, program management, OEM, customer, and regulatory teams. It also supports advanced analyses as needed and provides technical guidance, peer review, and mentoring to junior engineers.

The position may involve access to items subject to U.S. export-control laws. Employment is contingent on authorization to access those items under applicable law; the company does not guarantee it will seek authorization if necessary. Astronics CSC provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil/Structural Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant structural analysis experience, preferably involving aircraft structures or aircraft modifications.
• Proficiency with FEMAP/Nastran and classical hand analysis methods.
• Experience with fastener and joint analysis, load path evaluation, margins of safety, and structural substantiation reporting.
• Working knowledge of aircraft certification requirements and documentation expectations for FAA/EASA, STC, or OEM approval.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work independently with cross-functional engineering and certification teams.
• Direct experience working in an engineering/technical organization with strict document control processes and procedures, and ability to adhere to them.
• Familiarity with certification of commercial aircraft structures.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with commercial aircraft radome, antenna, or external equipment installations.
• Experience supporting STC or OEM Service Bulletin certification programs.
• Familiarity with OEM structural manuals, stress methods, allowables, and aircraft-specific requirements.
• Experience with composite structure, bonded joints, sandwich panels, or radome structure.
• Experience with AFGROW or NASGRO for fatigue, damage tolerance, or crack growth analysis.
• Experience with LS-DYNA for nonlinear dynamic, impact, or bird strike analysis.
• Experience using MATLAB, Python, or similar tools for engineering calculations, data processing, or automation.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers or reviewing structural analysis work.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural substantiation for commercial aircraft radome installations supporting STC and OEM Service Bulletin certification programs.
• Develop and evaluate structural finite element models using FEMAP/Nastran, supported by classical hand analysis methods.
• Analyze aircraft structure, installation hardware, fasteners, joints, fittings, adapter plates, and interface structure for strength, stiffness, stability, bearing, bypass, and combined loading.
• Review loads, drawings, material data, installation layouts, and OEM requirements to establish analysis methods, assumptions, and margins of safety.
• Prepare structural analysis reports, substantiation packages, and certification documentation for FAA/EASA, DER/ODA UM, OEM, and customer review.
• Coordinate with design, certification, manufacturing, program management, and regulatory representatives to resolve technical issues and support approval activities.
• Support fatigue and damage tolerance, crack growth, nonlinear dynamic, impact, bird strike, test correlation, and other advanced analyses as required.
• Develop and use engineering tools, scripts, and automation methods using MATLAB, Python, or similar software.
• Provide technical guidance, peer review, and mentoring to junior engineers.

Benefits

• Quarterly incentive compensation bonus.
• Health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; FSA and HSA; and voluntary life/AD&D, critical illness, accident prevention, and hospital indemnity coverage.
• 401(k), profit sharing, and employee stock purchase plan. The plan includes a 3% contribution of eligible wages, with the possibility of an annual discretionary adder.
• Employee Assistance Program and Wellness Program.
• Generous paid time off, Volunteer Time Off Program, paid holidays, and paid parental leave.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Competitive salary and opportunities for career growth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior