Thermostructures Rocket Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

5d•$100,300 - $175,900•Hybrid

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Thermostructures Rocket Engineer for its Thermostructures Section within the Structures Department of the Vehicle Systems Division. The section assesses liquid rocket engines, solid rocket motors, launch and re-entry vehicle heat shields, and hypersonic technologies to inform government customer decisions. The role calls for a strong foundation in solid mechanics, structural analysis using hand calculations and finite element analysis, and interest in applying engineering expertise to space-industry challenges. The position evaluates design, analysis, and test methodologies for aerospace thermostructural technologies; develops and assesses design and analysis criteria; contributes to test programs; and supports mission assurance assessments of structural integrity and survivability. The engineer consults with management, customers, contractors, and government organizations, coordinates with technical experts, and works on interdisciplinary teams. They provide technical recommendations through briefings and reports and maintain current expertise in structural mechanics, failure criteria, composite design, fracture and fatigue, damage tolerance, concept development, and advanced finite element methods. The position is based in El Segundo, California, and requires at least four days onsite. Occasional travel to work locations or customer sites, approximately 20%, is required. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance, which the candidate must be able to obtain and maintain.

Requirements

For the Senior Member of Technical Staff level: bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field.
For the Senior Member of Technical Staff level: at least 4 years of increasingly responsible professional or industry experience in structural engineering.
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 the 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 clearance.
For the Engineering Specialist level: master's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field.
For the Engineering Specialist level: 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 describes this as required under the section on standout qualifications).
Proficiency with the design, qualification, and nonconformance assessment of aerospace thermostructural technologies.
Technical proficiency in several areas such as ablative composite technology, including failure criteria, material characterization, erosion and progressive damage analysis; fracture mechanics and fatigue analysis, including damage tolerance, safe-life analysis, and fracture control; nondestructive inspection criteria; probabilistic analysis and 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 the design, analysis, and test methodologies for aerospace thermostructural technologies, including liquid rocket engines, solid rocket motors, launch and re-entry vehicle heat shields, and hypersonic systems.
Provide technical consultation to 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 processes for assessing structural integrity and survivability.
Maintain current skills in structural mechanics analysis, 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 with 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 contributions of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions; employees are 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.