Lead Stress Analyst – Propulsion and Fluids

Firefly Aerospace; Cedar Park (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace in Austin, Texas, seeks a Lead Stress Analyst for Propulsion & Fluid Systems in Mechanical Engineering. You will own the structural analysis of engine and fluid hardware from design through qualification and flight, setting methods and directing analyses.

You will collaborate with design, materials, manufacturing and test teams to deliver robust, weight-efficient hardware that meets program requirements, and you will scope, execute and defend complex analyses throughout the

Qualifications

• BS in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related engineering field.
• 5 years of structural/stress analysis experience in aerospace hardware.
• Proficiency with finite element analysis (Ansys/Nastran).
• Experience with fatigue, fracture mechanics, and damage tolerance.

Responsibilities

• Lead stress analysis of propulsion and fluid systems hardware.
• Perform static, thermal, dynamic, and durability analyses.
• Validate FE models against test data.
• Develop analysis methods and material allowables.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing and test teams.

Skills

Stress analysis

FEM Tools

Thermal-structural

Qualification testing

Aerospace hardware

Education

BS in Aerospace or related engineering

MS/PhD preferred

Tools

NASGRO

AFGROW

Job description

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE

Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch land and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond As the partner of choice for critical space missions Firefly is the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24 hour notice and the first company to achieve a successful Moon landing Headquartered in north Austin Texas Firefly is looking for passionate hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space

SUMMARY

As the Lead Stress Analyst for Propulsion & Fluid Systems in the Mechanical Engineering department you will provide technical leadership for the structural analysis of propulsion and fluid system hardware You will own the structural integrity of engine and fluid system components from early design through qualification and flight across multiple product lines This is a technical leadership role You will define analysis methods drive the most complex and highest risk analyses set the technical direction for propulsion & fluid systems stress and be a key voice in decisions on material allowables You will provide technical guidance and mentorship to other analysts and review internal and external analyses You will work closely with design materials manufacturing and test engineers to deliver structurally robust weight efficient hardware that meets program and customer requirements To be successful you should be able to independently scope execute review and defend structural analyses

RESPONSIBILITES

• Lead stress analysis of propulsion and fluid system hardware including thrust chambers feedlines manifolds valves and pressurized components
• Perform and review static thermal dynamic and durability fatigue fracture and damage tolerance analyses to guide design decisions and ensure strength stability stiffness and life requirements are met
• Perform structural analysis using both finite element analysis Ansys andor Nastran and classical hand calculations and validate models against test data
• Define and improve analysis methods standards best practices and material allowables for propulsion and fluid systems
• Generate interface loads and boundary conditions that drive sizing of downstream hardware
• Develop test requirements for qualification campaigns correlate analysis models with test data and support anomaly investigations and design improvements
• Collaborate with design materials manufacturing and test engineers throughout the design lifecycle to drive manufacturable solutions
• Produce clear well documented analysis reports provide technical guidance and mentorship to less experienced engineers and review internal and external analyses

QUALIFICATIONS

• Required BS in Aerospace Mechanical or a related engineering discipline
• 5 years of relevant experience in structuralstress analysis and qualification of aerospace or comparable high performance hardware
• Proficiency with finite element analysis Ansys andor Nastran and classical hand analysis with strong model validation and verification skills
• Experience with fatigue fracture mechanics and damage tolerance methods for flight critical hardware
• Experience with thermal thermo mechanical stress analysis
• Experience analyzing pressurized components such as lines ducts and bellows
• Strong understanding of structural mechanics load paths and first principles related to structures and materials
• Preferred MS or PhD in Aerospace Mechanical or a related engineering field
• Experience with analysis of liquid propulsion components fluid systems or rocket engine hardware
• Experience with analysis of turbomachinery hardware
• Experience with crack growth fracture software such as NASGRO or AFGROW
• Experience with additive manufacturing structural analysis and material characterization
• Experience correlating structural predictions with test or flight data