Structural Engineer II - Liaison

This role is for a hands‑on structural engineer that wants to work on emerging technologies utilized in some of the most critical and demanding missions in the aerospace and defense industry.

As a Structural Liaison Engineer at SNC you will play a key role in the fabrication, production, and continuous improvement of hardware and payloads installed on a variety of specialized aircraft. You will work directly with various airframe structural modifications in a production environment, collaborating closely with Design Engineers, Quality Engineers, Program Managers, and the structures technicians that build our designs.

This role is located at SNC’s Aviation Innovation and Technology Center (AITC), a brand‑new, state‑of‑the‑art large‑aircraft integration, modification, and MRO campus located in the Dayton, Ohio region.

This position is part of SNC’s ISR, Aviation, and Security (IAS) business area, a leading prime manned and unmanned aircraft systems integrator.

• Troubleshoot discrepancies and non‑conformances in mechanical & structural designs to ensure our fast‑paced aircraft modification production lines can continue without disruption.
• Work with Mechanical Engineers to generate unique repair instructions for damaged or non‑conforming aircraft structural components.
• Perform detailed analysis for aircraft structural modifications using both Finite Element Models (FEM) and classical hand calculations.
• Interpret mechanical engineering drawings and technical specifications, and advise technicians and quality inspectors on design requirements.
• Generate engineering dispositions for non‑conforming conditions that occur during on‑aircraft assembly and testing, ensuring solutions adhere to stringent quality and airworthiness requirements as well as company design and production standards.

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in structural engineering or a related role.
• Higher level relevant degree may substitute for experience.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings of complex parts and large assemblies.
• Experience working with aerospace and aviation industry‑standard structural design principles and fabrication practices.
• Ability to work on‑site in an aircraft production environment.
• Ability to function independently and communicate effectively with team members located remotely at different work sites.

• Background in the aerospace, aviation, or defense industry.
• Ability to perform classical structural analysis using industry standard hand calculation methods.
• Experience in Engineering Simulation using structural Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools such as MSC Patran, Nastran, FEMAP, or ANSYS.
• Experience performing fatigue and damage tolerance analysis utilizing tools such as NASGRO or AFGROW.
• Ability to author structural substantiation reports demonstrating compliance with airworthiness requirements.
• Experience with manufacturing, production, and product support to include disposition of engineering discrepancies and non‑conformances.
• Knowledge of industry‑standard mechanical design principles, including material hardware selection, structural joint design, metallic and composite manufacturing, and production processes.
• Experience with FAA, NASA, and/or DoD design and airworthiness standards for aircraft structural components.

• Ability to work on a computer for extended periods.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Ability to work in an office or hybrid environment.
• Applying systematic and logical problem‑solving techniques to develop structural designs and analysis.
• Clearly convey technical information, design specifications, and project updates to team members, stakeholders, and management.
• Ability to understand technical documents, designs and test reports.

SNC offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more.

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non‑U.S. citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. Learn more about the background check process for Security Clearances.

SNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an environment free of discrimination. Employment decisions are made based on merit without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.