Structural Analyst III

Quantum Space•Rockville, MD

6h•$140,000 - $195,000

About The Position

Quantum Space is seeking a Spacecraft Structural Analyst III to lead the design, analysis, and development of spacecraft structural systems across multiple flight programs. The role ensures structural integrity from early concept through flight, performs high-fidelity analyses, supports hardware testing, and drives design decisions that balance mass, strength, and manufacturability. As a senior member of the engineering team, the analyst will collaborate with propulsion, avionics, thermal, systems, mechanical, and GNC engineers to ensure structurally sound spacecraft designs. The role also helps guide structural standards, modeling practices, verification approaches, and analysis workflows across the company.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Structural Engineering.
At least 7 years of experience performing structural analysis for spacecraft, launch vehicles, or comparable aerospace hardware.
Strong experience with finite element analysis tools such as NASTRAN, FEMAP, ANSYS, Abaqus, or similar.
Experience building structural models directly from CAD assemblies such as Creo, SolidWorks, NX, or equivalent.
Expertise analyzing launch and dynamic environments, including sine and random vibration, shock, and acoustic loads.
Experience supporting structural testing and model correlation using real hardware test data.
Knowledge of aerospace structural materials, joints, fasteners, and lightweight structural design techniques.
Ability to operate independently while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State, to comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations including ITAR.

Nice To Haves

Experience with spacecraft structural environments and mission loads.
Familiarity with composite structures, thin-walled pressure vessels, or propulsion system structures.
Experience supporting environmental test campaigns, including instrumentation and fixture design.
Familiarity with Python or MATLAB for analysis automation or post-processing.
Experience with fracture mechanics tools such as NASGRO.
Familiarity with aerospace structural standards such as NASA-STD-5001, SMC-S-016, or MIL-STD-1540.
Experience working in a fast-paced startup or rapid development environment.

Responsibilities

Lead structural analysis and design efforts for spacecraft primary and secondary structures.
Perform static, modal, vibration, shock, acoustic, and thermal-structural coupling analyses.
Develop finite element models to evaluate structural margins across launch and on-orbit environments.
Conduct structural trade studies to optimize mass, stiffness, manufacturability, and system integration.
Build and maintain spacecraft finite element models using NASTRAN, FEMAP, ANSYS, or equivalent tools.
Generate analysis-ready models from CAD assemblies and ensure consistency between design and analysis configurations.
Develop analysis workflows and modeling practices to support rapid design iteration.
Define structural verification strategies, including analysis-based margin justification and environmental test plans.
Support vibration, acoustic, shock, and static load testing campaigns.
Correlate finite element model results with test data and update models to improve predictive capability.
Collaborate with mechanical, propulsion, avionics, GNC, and thermal teams to ensure structural compatibility across spacecraft systems.
Participate in design reviews, technical discussions, and program milestones to ensure structural readiness.
Identify structural risks early and propose mitigation strategies.
Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior structural and mechanical engineers.
Contribute to internal structural analysis standards, tools, and best practices.
Support program leadership with structural insights during key engineering and mission decisions.