2027 Electronic Component Structural Analysis Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health care and wellness

Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

Telework options

401(k) plan with company match

Flexible spending accounts

Relocation assistance

Professional growth & development

Education assistance

Inclusive work environment

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation seeks an Electronic Component Structural Analysis Engineer (Sr. MT S) to evaluate and resolve structural issues for electronics components, leveraging FEA tools (NASTRAN, Abaqus, ANSYS). The role involves collaborative design assessment, test planning, and coordination across disciplines.

The candidate should have a Ph.D. in a related field with 0–1 year of experience and the ability to obtain a security clearance. Travel ~20% and U.S. citizenship are required.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in mechanical, aerospace, or related field (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months).
• 0–1 year of industry experience.
• Experience with finite element analyses.
• Knowledge of structural mechanics and materials.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and resolve structural design and test issues for electronics components.
• Coordinate detailed structural analyses to identify failure mechanisms and modes.
• Develop test plans, procedures, and success criteria for structural test programs.
• Monitor budgets and resource allocations.
• Communicate technical issues and recommended actions to management and customers.
• Maintain and advance skills in elasticity, plasticity, and nonlinear FEA methods.

Skills

Written and verbal communication

Team collaboration

Organizational skills

Project management

Flexibility

Interpersonal coordination

Education

Ph.D. in mechanical or aerospace engineering

0-1 year of industry experience

Tools

NASTRAN

Abaqus

ANSYS

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest 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 innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly-trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments.

The Component Analysis and Space Structures (CASS) section is within the Structures Department of VSD. Our growing team is seeking a well-qualified Electronic Component Structural Analysis Engineer (Sr. Member of Technical Staff - Aeronautical and Aerospace Structural Engineering) with a strong foundation in solid mechanics, practical experience in structural analysis using both hand calculations and finite element analysis techniques, a passion for the space industry, and a desire to apply their expertise and creativity to help solve a variety of technical challenges. The CASS section has insight into the structural integrity of space vehicle hardware of all sizes being developed across the aerospace industry and develops technical assessments to help inform customer decisions. Hardware includes electronics packaging, electronics assemblies, solar array components, harnesses and antennas. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Identify, evaluate, and resolve structural design and test issues for electronics components and coordinate detailed structural analyses to identify failure mechanisms and modes
• Develop design and analysis criteria, requirements, and specifications and assess structural/mechanical designs and development plans during multiple design phases
• Develop and coordinate test plans, procedures, and success criteria for structural test programs
• Monitor and assist in the development of budgets and resource allocations
• Determine scope of work and coordinate with relevant disciplines
• Proactively inform management and customers of perceived technical problems and recommend courses of action
• Coordinate with inter-organizational personnel, program offices, and customers to resolve technical issues
• Maintain and advance skills in structural mechanics analysis, such as linear and non-linear finite element analysis methods, and coupled thermal‑mechanical analysis methods
• Maintain and advance knowledge in the development, analysis, and verification of electronic packaging and knowledge of structural design criteria in combination with structural test methods
• Provide timely technical recommendation to line management and customers through technical briefings and reports
• Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed

Corporate Skills You’ll Bring

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Must work well in a team environment
• Possess organizational, time management and project management skills
• Demonstrate flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational need
• Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with other internal and external organizations

What You Need to be Successful

• Ph.D. degree from an accredited college/university program in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)
• 0-1 year of industry experience
• Experience performing finite element analyses
• Experience or coursework in structural mechanics such as elasticity, plasticity, nonlinear materials, plates and shells, energy methods, finite element methods, fracture, and fatigue
• Experience with the design, qualification, and testing of aerospace structural components and systems
• Willingness to travel occasionally to work locations or customer sites (approximately 20%), domestically or internationally
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

How You Can Stand Out

• Current TS/SCI clearance
• Proficiency with the design, qualification, testing, and nonconformance assessment of spacecraft structural systems, such as electronic assemblies, electronic components, antennas, and solar array components
• Technical proficiency in several of the following areas: microelectronics durability, thermostructural analysis methodologies, fracture mechanics and fatigue analysis (both due to thermal and vibration loads), nondestructive inspection criteria, probabilistic analysis and uncertainty quantification, and non-linear finite element analysis
• Demonstrated ability to represent the physics of structures during the analysis idealization stage, and to translate results into a conclusive assessment
• Proven capabilities in mentoring less experienced staff in multiple areas of structural engineering, providing orientation, technical guidance, and development insight
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with both internal and external customers providing technical support, acting as a technical authority, consultant, and/or primary investigator
• Proficient with NASTRAN, Abaqus, ANSYS or other commercial finite element tools, and direct experience correlating finite element model predictions with test results
• Understanding of flight qualification strategies from a structural perspective
• Ability to exhibit high level of innovation, creativity, and initiative

Benefits

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills. (Min - Max) $120,000.00 - $140,000.00 Pay Basis: Annual

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who: Operate Strategically Lead Change Engage with Impact Foster Innovation Deliver Results Ways

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [e-mail] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

Right Place

The Aerospace Corporation has over 26 locations nationwide, which allows us to build a workforce that will nurture the best ideas, and generate the most novel innovations and solutions to our nation’s toughest space enterprise challenges.

Right Path

Right Path Aerospace covers all stages of the space lifecycle, from concept to operations. We believe our people are our most valuable resource and that’s why we propel our employees forward in their careers through ongoing education, training, and professional development.

Right Purpose

We can all serve a mission much greater than ourselves, and at Aerospace that is exactly what we do. By hiring the industry’s most preeminent scientists and engineers, Aerospace advances emerging technologies that protect some of the most critical missions on Earth and above it.

Aerospace employees working in organizations with technical responsibilities are required to obtain a Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.