Senior Structural Analysis Engineer

Job Overview

Senior Structural Analysis Engineer–K

Position Summary:

Senior Structural Stress Analysis Engineer to join the Structural Engineering and Analysis team supporting NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Programs. Provide structural engineering, analysis, and test support for aerospace projects including space telescopes, earth science satellites, Mars, Moon and asteroid science missions, robotic servicing missions, and associated mechanical ground support equipment.

• Support development of flight hardware as part of a design team from preliminary through detailed design, drawing release, manufacturing, integration, testing, transportation, and launch.
• Perform structural analyses using classical mechanics calculations and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to meet stiffness, strength, Structural Thermal Optical Performance (STOP), and other applicable structural requirements.
• Generate Finite Element Models for normal modes, linear static and dynamic analyses to predict and improve structural response and stability as required.
• Perform analysis for and support static and dynamic structural tests.
• Prepare analysis reports and test documents.
• Keep up with and adhere to NASA and GSFC specific requirements, guidelines and procedures.

• B.S. in Mechanical, Structural, Aerospace Engineering or related technical field.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in structural analysis.
• Structural and mechanical design, load/stress analysis, and experience in FEA.
• Working knowledge of NASTRAN FEA software and FEMAP (preferred) or PATRAN as FEA pre- and post-processor.
• Experience performing engineering analyses and programming in Excel, MATLAB, Python or similar software.
• On-site support is preferred but remote work may be possible if approved by the customer.
• U.S. citizenship.

• Integrated Modeling (IM) and Structural Thermal Optical Performance (STOP) analysis including MATLAB and Python programming for custom code generation to recover flight system optical performance metrics from mechanical distortions for both steady state and transient cases.
• Analysis of aerospace structural systems, materials, load paths under environments including quasi‑static inertial, mechanical, vibro‑acoustic, thermal, pressure, and shock.
• Expertise in analysis of composite material structures in addition to metals, sandwich construction, plastics, mechanically fastened interfaces, bonded joints and welds.
• Analysis and design of space flight hardware including spacecraft bus and instrument structures, deployables, mechanisms, components such as kinematic mounts, electronic boxes and boards, thermal control systems, optical benches, and mechanical ground support equipment and test fixtures.
• Documentation of structural analysis activities to generate reports, technical memos and presentation packages.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Basic compensation range: $137,700 - $206,600 (specific to the Greenbelt, MD area). Additional compensation may include bonuses, commissions, sign‑on bonus, relocation benefits, short‑term incentives, long‑term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

• 401(k) plan with company match
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off
• Flexible work schedule

K  is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.