Lead, Structural Engineering

Job Title

Lead, Structural Engineer

38083

Huntsville, AL or Sacramento, CA

9/80:
Work 9 of 14 days, 80 hours, every other Friday off.

Join our team shaping the next generation of solid rocket propulsion systems. We are seeking a Lead Structures & Dynamics stress analyst at Huntsville, AL or Sacramento, CA. In this role, you will perform structural analysis to verify product designs meet requirements and assist with preliminary design verification.

• Structural Analysis Ownership:
  Drive analysis tasks for SRM components including metallic and composite motor cases, nozzles, insulation, and propellant grains. Ensure structural integrity across all phases of flight and ground handling.
• FEA Modeling & Execution:
  Build and execute finite element models using ANSYS, ABAQUS, or comparable tools. Model components using isotropic, orthotropic, and viscoelastic material definitions with nonlinear and temperature-dependent properties. Apply classical methods to validate and supplement numerical results, especially for preliminary design trades or quick-turn assessments.
• Margin of Safety Evaluation:
  Determine margins of safety against yield, ultimate failure, buckling, HCF, LCF, and fracture using established industry standard practices and internal allowables. Produce high-quality technical reports, stress notes, and presentations that clearly outline methods, assumptions, and conclusions for internal reviews and external customers.
• Design Integration:
  Participate in formal and informal design reviews. Communicate results, trade-offs, and risk areas effectively to multidisciplinary audiences, including program management and external customers.
• Process Improvement:
  Contribute to internal tool development, analysis automation, and knowledge capture to enhance team efficiency and standardization.
• Security Clearance:
  Ability to obtain a US Secret Security Clearance.
• Travel: 10%

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 9 years of prior structural analysis experience, or Graduate Degree with minimum 7 years, or 13 years of experience in lieu of a degree.

• Bachelor’s Degree (Mechanical, Aerospace, or related) is preferred.
• Proven experience in linear, nonlinear, and dynamic structural analysis supporting design and qualification of solid rocket motors.
• Proficiency with FEA tools such as ANSYS Mechanical; experience with ANSYS MAPDL or Python scripting highly desirable.
• Familiarity with structural assessment and design of filament-wound composite pressure vessels.
• Ability to interpret aerospace structural requirements and coordinate load development with cross-functional teams.
• Exposure to full lifecycle aerospace SRM propulsion product development from design through manufacturing and test.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Colorado State, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Vermont and New York State is $–$. For California, Seattle, Washington D.C., Maryland Greater Washington D.C. area, the city of Denver, Washington State and New York City, the salary range is $–$. Benefits include health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays.

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Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3

Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws.

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Harris maintains a drug‑free workplace and performs pre‑employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.