2026 Associate Structural Analysis Engineer / Structural Analysis Engineer - San Diego C
About The Position
Northrop Grumman is hiring entry-level Structural Analysis Engineers for its Space sector in San Diego, California, within the Mission Enabling Products (MEP) Business Unit. MEP designs, builds, and delivers space, defense, and aviation-related systems, including satellites and space components, launch vehicles and propulsion systems, missile products, defense electronics, precision weapons, armament systems, and advanced aerospace structures. The role assesses the structural integrity of metallic and composite structures using traditional closed-form solutions and finite element analysis (FEA). Engineers collaborate with design and development teams to create and verify solutions that meet technical, cost, and schedule requirements. They support flight hardware throughout its lifecycle, from preliminary and detailed design through drawing release, manufacturing, integration, verification testing, and transportation. The role also includes reducing material test data into analysis inputs and material capability properties, presenting assessment results for internal and customer reviews, and helping assess and disposition discrepant hardware and anomalies. The posting describes two levels: Associate Structural Engineer, requiring a bachelor’s degree, and Structural Engineer, requiring a master’s degree. Both require a STEM major, finite element modeling experience, knowledge of aerospace structural analysis, and the ability to obtain a U.S. government security clearance and Special Access Program access. Travel is 10% of the time. No relocation assistance is available.
Requirements
- For Associate Structural Engineer: be completing or have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- For Structural Engineer: be completing or have completed a master’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Major in or have majored in a STEM field.
- Be able to obtain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is a prerequisite.
- Be able to obtain Special Access Program access within a reasonable period, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
- Experience with finite element modeling.
- Knowledge of structural analysis for aerospace structures containing metals, sandwich panels, composite materials, plastics, and bonded joints.
Nice To Haves
- Overall cumulative GPA of 3.00/4.0 or higher.
- Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.
- Proficiency in Femap, NX Nastran, Altair Hyperworks, NX, and Matlab.
- Experience performing static and dynamic analysis of composite and metallic materials.
- Knowledge of composite material applications for extreme environments.
- Previous experience in an aerospace manufacturing facility.
Responsibilities
- Assess the structural integrity of metallic and composite structures using closed-form solutions and finite element analysis.
- Work with design and development specialists in Design, Quality, Materials, and Manufacturing to develop and verify solutions that meet technical, cost, and schedule requirements.
- Generate finite element models and perform analyses for normal modes, linear static stress, dynamic response and stress, thermo-elastic distortion, and hygroscopic distortion.
- Support flight hardware from preliminary and detailed design through drawing release, manufacturing, integration, verification testing, and transportation.
- Reduce material characterization test data into analysis input properties and material capability properties.
- Prepare and present structural assessment results to internal review boards and external customer design reviews.
- Assist with assessment and disposition of discrepant hardware and hardware anomalies.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
