Thermostructures Rocket Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

4d•$100,300 - $175,900•Hybrid

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation’s Vehicle Systems Division is seeking a Thermostructures Rocket Engineer for its Thermostructures Section, part of the Structures Department within the Structural Mechanics Subdivision. The role evaluates aerospace thermostructural technologies and develops technical assessments to inform government customer decisions. Technologies may include liquid rocket engines, solid rocket motors, launch and re-entry vehicle heat shields, and hypersonic systems, with components such as composites, solid propellant, joints, seals, igniters, valves, turbopumps, and nozzles. The position involves evaluating design, analysis, and test methodologies; advising management, customers, contractors, and government organizations; and contributing to development, qualification, and acceptance testing. The engineer helps assess structural integrity and survivability, addresses emerging technical risks, collaborates across disciplines, and communicates recommendations through briefings and reports. The role is located in El Segundo, California, and requires at least four days onsite. Occasional travel to work locations or customer sites is expected, approximately 20%. The posting describes two qualification paths: Senior Member of Technical Staff requires a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field and at least four years of increasingly responsible structural engineering experience. Engineering Specialist requires a relevant master’s degree and at least six years of such experience. Both paths require experience in finite element analysis, structural mechanics, and design, qualification, and testing of aerospace thermostructural technologies, specifically liquid rocket engines and/or solid rocket motors. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for clearance eligibility. The listed annual pay range is $100,300 to $175,900. Benefits highlighted include comprehensive health care and wellness plans, paid holidays, sick time and vacation, standard and alternate schedules including telework options, a 401(k) plan with company-paid contributions and matching contributions, flexible spending accounts, variable pay, relocation assistance, professional development, education assistance, and an inclusive work environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field for the Senior Member of Technical Staff path.
At least 4 years of increasingly responsible professional or industry experience in structural engineering for the Senior Member of Technical Staff path.
Experience performing finite element analyses.
Experience in structural mechanics, including metallic and composite materials, nonlinear materials, plates and shells, energy and finite element methods, fracture, and fatigue.
Experience with design, qualification, and testing of aerospace thermostructural technologies, specifically liquid rocket engines and/or solid rocket motors.
Willingness to travel occasionally to work locations or customer sites, approximately 20%, domestically or internationally.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.
For the Engineering Specialist path: master’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field.
For the Engineering Specialist path: at least 6 years of increasingly responsible professional or industry experience in structural engineering.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field (the posting states this is required under the standout qualifications).
Proficiency with design, qualification, and nonconformance assessment of aerospace thermostructural technologies.
Technical proficiency in areas such as ablative composite technology, material characterization, erosion and progressive damage analysis, fracture mechanics and fatigue analysis, damage tolerance or safe-life analysis, fracture control, nondestructive inspection criteria, probabilistic analysis, uncertainty quantification, and structural stability margin assessment.
Ability to represent structural physics during analysis idealization and translate results into a conclusive assessment.
Ability to coordinate technical assignments and lead project teams.
Proficiency with LS-DYNA, NASTRAN, Abaqus, or other commercial finite element tools, and experience correlating finite element model predictions with test results.
Understanding of flight qualification strategies from a structural perspective.

Responsibilities

Evaluate design, analysis, and test methodologies for aerospace thermostructural technologies, including liquid rocket engines, solid rocket motors, heat shields, and hypersonic systems.
Consult with management, customers, contractors, and government organizations on test plans, procedures, objectives, and success criteria.
Develop and assess design and analysis criteria, requirements, and specifications for aerospace thermostructural technologies.
Contribute to the development and execution of development, qualification, and acceptance test programs.
Improve mission assurance assessments of the structural integrity and survivability of aerospace thermostructural technologies.
Maintain current technical skills in design, evaluation, and testing, including structural mechanics, failure criteria, composite design criteria, fracture and fatigue, damage tolerance, concept development, and advanced finite element analysis.
Communicate with internal personnel, program offices, and customers to scope, plan, and resolve technical issues.
Coordinate with technical experts at contractor facilities to address emerging risks.
Work in interdisciplinary teams to address cross-disciplinary issues.
Provide timely technical recommendations to line management and customers through briefings and reports.

Benefits

Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
401(k) plan with company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions; immediately eligible and vested upon hire
Flexible spending accounts
Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
Relocation assistance
Professional growth and development programs
Education assistance programs
Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect