Structural Dynamics Engineer

Craig Technologies • Huntsville, AL

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

Craig Technologies is seeking a talented and experienced Structural Dynamics Engineer to join our team in Huntsville, AL, Houston, TX or Merritt Island, FL. The candidate will support the advanced simulation, environmental analysis, and structural testing of spacecraft hardware destined for cislunar and lunar orbit missions. This role bridges the gap between finite element modeling and physical environmental testing to ensure satellite structures survive intense launch environments, spacecraft separations, and deep-space dynamic loads.

Requirements

• High level critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and a detail-oriented structural engineering mindset.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and technical documentation skills with the ability to summarize complex load data clearly.
• Willingness and ability to travel to external testing facilities and work actively on-site at vibration/acoustic test chambers.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a highly related field plus 5-10 years of experience in structural dynamics.
• 3-5 years of direct experience writing environmental test plans, executing vibration/shock tests, and using empirical data to correlate structural models.
• Proficiency in performing analytical simulations and structural finite element modeling utilizing Nastran or equivalent solvers.
• Proficiency in coding, automated scripting, and processing time-series data using MATLAB or Python.
• Familiarity with relevant aerospace testing and analysis standards, such as NASA-STD-5001, SMC-S-016, or MIL-STD-1540.
• US citizenship required.
• All candidates selected will be subject to a background investigation and drug screen.
• To conform to U.S. Government International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
• All candidates selected will be subject to a security background investigation and must meet all eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Simcenter (NX) Nastran or Beta CAE products (ANSA, META, EPYLISIS) for finite element modeling and post-processing is a plus.
• Experience with Vibration Research test software, MEscope, or spacecraft-level shaker table testing is highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Plan, analyze, and execute environmental testing profiles, including ground vibration testing (GVT) of spacecraft hardware and modal testing for finite element model validation.
• Construct detailed finite element models (FEM), superelements, and test display models optimized for dynamic analyses (such as modal, random vibration, sine vibration, shock, and vibro-acoustic profiles).
• Perform structural hand calculations and numerical simulations to evaluate material strength margins, structural notching limits, and core mode shapes.
• Collaborate with test engineers to define comprehensive environmental test plans that establish instrumentation layouts, accelerometer locations, and safe response limits.
• Provide dedicated, on-site engineering support during modal, vibration, and acoustic testing to ensure test targets, sensor calibrations, and safety objectives are met.
• Perform signal analysis and evaluate test telemetry data across both time and frequency domains to troubleshoot hardware vibration anomalies.
• Prepare rigorous technical reports, structural verification packages, and presentations to communicate analysis results, findings, and design recommendations to internal engineering leads and commercial clients.
• Other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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