Structural Systems Engineer

Structural Systems Engineer (Sr. Member of Technical Staff/Engineering Specialist – Aeronautical and Aerospace Structural Engineering)

The Structural Systems Section within the Structures Department of the Structural Mechanics Subdivision of the Vehicle Systems Division seeks a Structural Systems Engineer with a strong foundation in solid mechanics, practical experience in structural analysis using both hand calculations and finite element analysis techniques, and a passion for the space industry.

This full‑time position requires on‑site work at least four days per week, with flexibility based on business needs. The location is El Segundo, CA, or Chantilly, VA.

• Space vehicle pressurized systems and propulsion systems, including pressure vessels, lines/fittings, manifolds, valves, bellows, and separation systems.
• Offer technical consultation to management, customers, contractors, and government organizations in formulating and assessing test plans, procedures, objectives, and success criteria.
• Develop and assess design and analysis criteria, requirements, and specifications for launch and space structures.
• Contribute to the development and execution of test programs for development, qualification, and acceptance of launch and space structures.
• Improve the agility of the mission assurance process in assessing the structural integrity and survivability of launch and space structures.
• Maintain state‑of‑the‑art skills in activities related to design, evaluation, and testing of launch and space structures; skills include expertise in structural mechanics analysis techniques, failure criteria, composite design criteria, fracture and fatigue, damage tolerance, concept ideation and development, and advanced finite element analysis methods.
• Communicate with inter‑organizational personnel, program offices, and customers when necessary to scope, plan, and resolve technical issues.
• Coordinate with technical experts at contractor facilities to address and resolve concerns.
• Work within interdisciplinary teams to address cross‑disciplinary issues.
• Keep management and customers informed of emerging risks.
• Provide technical recommendations to line management and customers through technical briefing and reports.

Minimum Requirements for the Sr. Member of Technical Staff:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5 or more years of professional or academic experience in structural engineering.
• Experience performing finite element analyses.
• Experience in structural mechanics such as nonlinear materials, plates and shells, energy and finite element methods, fracture, and fatigue.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 20% of the time.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance, which is issued by the US government. US citizenship is required.

Engineering Specialist minimum requirements:

• 8 years of experience or more in structural engineering.

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Ph.D. degree from an accredited program in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field.
• Design, qualification, and nonconformance assessment of pressurized systems including:
• Stage tanks
• Pressure vessels
• Composite over wrapped pressure vessels
• Lines/fittings, flares, bellows, valves, and manifolds
• Technical proficiency in several of the following areas:
• Fracture mechanics and fatigue analysis (damage tolerance / safe life analysis and fracture control)
• Additive manufacturing design integration, evaluation, and assessment
• Welded joint mechanical properties and analysis
• Nondestructive inspection criteria development
• Bonded and/or bolted joint failure criteria and analysis methodologies
• Composite structure failure criteria and analysis methodology
• Probabilistic analysis and uncertainty quantification
• Structural stability margin assessment
• Understanding of flight qualification strategies from a structural perspective
• Demonstrated ability to represent the physics of structures during the analysis idealization stage, and to translate results into a conclusive…