Analyst I

Karman Space & Defense; Mukilteo (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

HSA with company contribution

FSA

Life and AD&D insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Karman Space and Defense in Mukilteo, WA seeks an Analyst to apply physics-based engineering to design, stress analysis, verification, and test planning for aerospace programs. You will contribute to structural assessments, modeling, and documentation in fast-moving development teams.

Requirements include a bachelor’s in mechanical or aerospace engineering, 0–3 years experience, and DoD Secret clearance or the ability to obtain one. Proficiency with FEA tools and CAD software is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering.
• Typically 0–3 years of aerospace/defense experience.
• Proficiency with FEMAP, NASTRAN, LS-DYNA, CATIA V5, SolidWorks and MS Office.
• Knowledge of structural analysis, FEA, modeling, dynamics and test.
• Strong written and verbal communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain DoD Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Applies physics-based engineering theories to quantify system performance.
• Assesses structural viability using metallic and composite materials.
• Develops free body diagrams and computes loads, shear and moments.
• Performs hand calculations, FEA, fatigue and damage tolerance analyses.
• Supports program oversight to ensure compliance with requirements.
• Verifies system performance against engineering requirements.
• Contributes to test plans and engineering reports.

Skills

Strong written communication

Verbal communication

Organizational abilities

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

FEMAP

NASTRAN

LS-DYNA

CATIA V5

SolidWorks

Microsoft Office

Job description

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

This role is part of our Hypersonics and Strategic Missile Defense business, which designs, develops, and delivers highly dependable missile systems for hypersonic and strategic missile defense missions. We provide integrated, mission-ready hardware that brings together multiple technologies into unified systems engineered to perform in demanding operational environments. Our tip-to-tail capabilities include payload protection and deployment systems, propulsion systems, aerodynamic interstage systems, separation systems, missile subsystems, shroud systems, launch systems, and payload integration solutions.

As an Analyst, you apply physics-based engineering techniques to support design, development, stress analysis, verification, and test planning across aerospace programs. You contribute to structural assessments, modeling, requirements verification, and technical documentation, helping ensure each system meets performance expectations. This role supports fast-moving development teams where strong analysis skills, organization, and collaboration are essential.

Responsibilities

• Applies physics-based engineering theories to quantify system performance and derive subsystem requirements.
• Assesses structural viability of components and mechanisms using metallic and composite material behavior, structural mechanics, statics, and dynamics.
• Develops free body diagrams, identifies load paths, calculates reaction forces and internal loads, and prepares shear and moment diagrams.
• Uses classical aerospace analysis techniques including hand calculations, finite element analysis (FEA), fatigue analysis, and damage tolerance analysis.
• Supports program-level technical oversight to ensure product compliance with requirements.
• Verifies and documents system performance against engineering requirements.
• Contributes to test plan development to validate system behavior.
• Supports development of engineering reports, presentations, and technical documentation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or an equivalent field.
• Typically 0–3 years of experience in aerospace or defense environments.
• Software proficiency with tools such as FEMAP, NASTRAN, LS-DYNA, CATIA V5, SolidWorks, and Microsoft Office.
• General aerospace engineering knowledge including structural analysis, finite element analysis (FEA), physics-based modeling, dynamics/kinematics, advanced materials, design, and test.
• Basic understanding of analysis theory.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, technical report writing skills, organizational abilities, and problem-solving skills.
• A current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company‑paid life and AD\&D insurance
• Short‑and long‑term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.