Structural Engineer

Location: El Segundo, CA 90245
Job Type: Full-Time | 4-Month Contract
Schedule: Monday-Friday | 9/80 Schedule
Pay Rate: $80.38 per hour
Work Environment: On-site

PDS Tech Commercial is partnering witha leader in the aviation and aerospace industry, to hire a Structural Engineer 3 to support its Tooling organization in El Segundo, California.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced engineer with an active Professional Engineer (PE) License and a strong structural analysis background. You'll play a critical role in developing and certifying engineering analysis packages that demonstrate tooling fixtures meet stringent safety standards and customer requirements.

From structural analysis and finite element modeling to tooling design and fabrication support, your expertise will help deliver safe, reliable solutions for complex aerospace manufacturing operations.

In this role, you'll combine structural engineering expertise with hands‑on collaboration across engineering, tooling, and manufacturing teams.

Key responsibilities include:

• Perform static and dynamic structural analysis of tooling fixtures and structures.
• Complete engineering analysis using hand calculations and FEMAP/NASTRAN
  .
• Prepare structural analysis reports and review engineering reports completed by other team members.
• Analyze product designs and applications involving metals and a variety of other materials.
• Support structural engineering activities involving areas such as dynamics and loads, stability, stress, fatigue, damage tolerance, durability, and design allowables
  .
• Assist in the design of aerospace industrial tooling and assembly structures, including assembly work stands, lifting jigs, composite dies, drill fixtures, machine attachments, and production equipment.
• Develop and conceptualize designs using NX and CATIA 3D modeling tools
  .
• Create fabrication drawings using CAD in accordance with applicable ASME Y14 standards
  .
• Evaluate engineering products for conformity with established standards, specifications, and procedures.
• Identify and mitigate tooling and structural safety risks in accordance with applicable company and government requirements.
• Present structural issues, findings, and proposed solutions clearly to internal leadership and customer representatives.
• Collaborate with engineering team members to develop practical solutions to complex technical challenges.
• Provide engineering guidance informed by current fabrication and machine shop practices.
• Work independently when needed while also contributing effectively within a collaborative engineering environment.
• Identify opportunities for process and design innovation while adhering to established company policies and engineering procedures.

To succeed in this position, candidates should have:

• Active Professional Engineer (PE) License
  , with a California PE license preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline
  .
• Experience solving simple through complex structural engineering problems using hand calculations and finite element analysis (FEA).
• Experience with structural stress analysis techniques, practices, and concepts.
• Experience with FEMAP/NASTRAN or comparable structural analysis applications.
• Experience using computer-aided design tools and systems, including CATIA and/or NX
  .
• Ability to create, read, understand, and interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
• Working knowledge of ASME Y14.5 and a basic understanding of GD&T.
• Experience with medium- to large-scale fabrication and/or production fabrication, including composites, metallic structures, and/or manufacturing operations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate technical concepts to multiple levels of leadership.
• Ability to coordinate and resolve interpersonal and technical challenges effectively.
• Ability to work both independently with limited guidance and collaboratively within a team.

You'll stand out if you also bring:

• Experience working within an aerospace manufacturing environment
  .
• Familiarity with aircraft structural analysis or design
  .
• Direct experience with tooling mechanics and stress analysis
  .
• Experience supporting fabrication while considering factors such as accessibility, economy, mobility, manufacturability, and performance.
• A current California Professional Engineer…