Thermostructures Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving complex problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space—delivering solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil, and commercial customers.

The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future space systems, providing research and development, technical evaluations, conceptual and detailed design, assembly, integration, test, and operational support. The Thermostructures Section is part of the Structures Department within the Structural Mechanics Subdivision of VSD.

This position is full‑time, onsite, based in El Segundo, CA, with consideration in Huntsville, AL, Chantilly, VA, or Hill Air Force Base, UT.

• Evaluate the design, analysis, and test methodologies related to aerospace thermostructural technologies, such as liquid rocket engines, solid rocket motors, launch and re‑entry vehicle heat shields, and hypersonic systems; sub‑components typically include composites, solid propellant, joints, seals, igniters, valves, turbopumps, and nozzles.
• 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 aerospace thermostructural technologies.
• Contribute to the development and execution of test programs for development, qualification, and acceptance of aerospace thermostructural technologies.
• Improve agility of the mission assurance process in assessing the structural integrity and survivability of aerospace thermostructural technologies.
• Maintain state‑of‑the‑art skills in activities related to design, evaluation, and testing of aerospace thermostructural technologies; 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 of emerging risks.
• Work within interdisciplinary teams to address cross‑disciplinary issues.
• Provide timely technical recommendations to line management and customers through technical briefings and reports.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field.
• Two (2) years or more of increasingly responsible professional or industry experience in structural engineering.
• Experience performing finite element analyses.
• Experience or coursework in structural mechanics such as 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.
• Strong attention to detail and time‑management skills.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain complicated subjects in a simple and cogent manner to decision makers.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to work locations or customer sites (approximately 20%), domestically or internationally.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field.
• Three (3) or more years of total increasingly responsible professional or industry experience in structural engineering.

• Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering,…