Structural Analyst II

X-Bow Systems•, TX

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

X-Bow Systems is looking for a Structural Analyst II to support the analysis and development of ablative nozzles, motor cases, thrust-vector-control hardware, thermal protection components, and other rocket motor components. The role combines finite element modeling, composite mechanics, thermal-structural analysis, and material-response assessment. The analyst will evaluate structures exposed to pressure, thermal gradients, vibration, acceleration, erosion, ablation, and other demanding operating environments.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, materials engineering, or a related field.
At least two (2) years of professional analysis experience.
Experience with ABAQUS finite element modeling and structural analysis through professional work, research, and internships.
Understanding of structural solid mechanics, heat transfer, thermomechanics, and material behavior.
Familiarity with composite or high-temperature materials.
Basic design for manufacturability.
Strong technical documentation and cross-functional communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with ablative nozzles, solid rocket motors, propulsion components, or similar hardware.
Knowledge of composite laminate modeling, orthotropic materials, anisotropic material behavior, and temperature-dependent properties.
Experience with hyperelastic (rubber or similar) material modeling.
Experience with user-defined materials, subroutines, field variables, element activation, material degradation, or evolving geometry.
Familiarity with nozzle throat inserts, insulation, liners, bonded interfaces, and joint mechanics including thermostructural analyses.
Experience with thermal-structural coupling, transient analysis, nonlinear contact, or large-deformation analysis.
Experience correlating finite element predictions with hot-fire, pressure, thermal-vacuum, arc-jet, or other environmental test data.
Knowledge of model verification and validation, mesh convergence, sensitivity studies, and uncertainty management.
Experience working in regulated, configuration-controlled, or export-controlled engineering environments.

Responsibilities

Create and maintain detailed finite element models of ablative nozzles and related propulsion hardware.
Analyze composite, carbon-carbon, ceramic, elastomeric, phenolic, metallic, and bonded structures.
Evaluate pressure, thermal, mechanical, vibration, and combined-load conditions.
Assess stress, strain, deformation, buckling, fracture risk, joint loads, and material margins.
Structurally model or represent temperature-dependent material properties and thermal gradients.
Support coupled thermal-structural analyses and interpretation of analysis results.
Evaluate the effects of ablation, recession, erosion, pyrolysis, and block changes on structural performance.
Analyze nozzle inserts, exit cones, insulation systems, liners, case interfaces, joints, and attachment features.
Develop limit-load, ultimate-load, proof-load, transient, and qualification analysis cases.
Correlate analytical predictions with component tests, hot-fire testing, subscale testing, and inspection data.
Support test planning, instrumentation definition, post-test assessment, and anomaly investigations.
Prepare formal analysis reports, model descriptions, technical reviews, and verification documentation.
Collaborate with propulsion, thermal, materials, manufacturing, and test engineering teams.