Lead, Structural Engineering

L3Harris Technologies; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 122,000 - 227,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies seeks a Lead, Structural Engineer to guide structural analysis of solid rocket motor components, with a focus on nozzles, motor cases, and materials. You will lead modeling efforts across the product lifecycle and collaborate with thermal, CFD, and performance teams to ensure structural integrity and flight readiness.

The role is based in either Sacramento, CA or Huntsville, AL, with a focus on SRM propulsion hardware and strong emphasis on data-driven design decisions and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required; 9+ years of structural analysis experience or 7+ years with graduate degree; alternative 13+ years without a degree.

Responsibilities

• Own structural analysis tasks for SRM components with emphasis on nozzles and motor cases.
• Build and run FE models; assess materials and temperature effects.
• Develop load conditions with thermal, CFD, and performance teams.
• Support design reviews and provide clear trade-offs and risk analyses.
• Import and integrate CAD geometry for analysis readiness.
• Evaluate margins of safety for yield, buckling, and fracture.
• Prepare technical reports, stress notes, and customer-facing documentation.
• Contribute to internal tooling and automation to improve efficiency.

Skills

Structural analysis

FEA modeling

ANSYS/ABAQUS

Load development

CAD integration

Python scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace

9+ years structural analysis experience

Tools

ANSYS Mechanical

ANSYS MAPDL

Python

ABAQUS

Job description

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers' mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers' mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Lead, Structural Engineer

Job Code: 37364

Job Location: Sacramento, CA or Huntsville, AL

Job Schedule: 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days - totaling 80 hours worked - and have every other Friday off

Join our team shaping the next generation of solid rocket propulsion systems. We are seeking a Lead Structures & Dynamics Analyst for our Huntsville, AL, or Sacramento, CA location. In this role, you will perform structural analysis to verify that product designs meet structural performance requirements and assist with preliminary design verification. We are seeking an experienced structural analyst with a deep technical foundation in aerospace structures, particularly rocket propulsion nozzles, a proactive mindset, and a passion for solving complex problems in high-performance environments.

As a key contributor, you will lead and support structural modeling and analysis efforts for solid rocket motor (SRM) components throughout the product lifecycle - from early development through qualification and production. The role will have a focus on SRM rocket motors, and familiarity with thermal structural analysis and composite structures is key. You will collaborate closely with cross-disciplinary teams, interface with customers, and drive technical excellence.

Why This Role Matters

You won't just be running models - you'll be influencing major design decisions and contributing directly to flight-critical hardware. This position is a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge propulsion technologies that drive national defense initiatives.

Essential Functions

• Structural Analysis Ownership: Drive analysis tasks for SRM components with a focus on nozzles, but also including metallic and composite motor cases, insulation, and propellant grains. Ensure structural integrity across all phases of flight and ground handling.
• FEA Modeling & Execution: Build and execute finite element models using ANSYS, ABAQUS, or comparable tools. Model components using isotropic, orthotropic, and viscoelastic material definitions with nonlinear and temperature-dependent properties.
• Load Development: Collaborate with thermal, CFD, and performance teams to establish pressure, thermal gradient, and mechanical loading conditions. In some cases, derive boundary conditions and load cases based on mission and design requirements.
• Closed-Form Support: Apply classical methods to validate and supplement numerical results, especially for preliminary design trades or quick-turn assessments.
• CAD & Geometry Integration: Import and simplify solid CAD models from design teams to develop robust, clean geometry suitable for analysis.
• Margin of Safety Evaluation: Determine margins of safety against yield, ultimate failure, buckling, HCF, LCF, and fracture using established industry-standard practices and internal allowables.
• Documentation & Reporting: Produce high-quality technical reports, stress notes, and presentations that clearly outline methods, assumptions, and conclusions for both internal reviews and external customer delivery.
• Design Integration: Participate in formal and informal design reviews. Communicate results, trade-offs, and risk areas effectively to multidisciplinary audiences, including program management and external customers.
• Process Improvement: Contribute to internal tool development, analysis automation, and knowledge capture to enhance team efficiency and standardization.
• Ability to obtain a US secret security clearance.
• Travel: 10%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and minimum 9 years of prior structural analysis experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior structural analysis experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior structural analysis experience.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Bachelor's Degree (in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering discipline) is preferred.
• Proven experience in linear, nonlinear, and dynamic structural analysis supporting design and qualification of solid rocket motors.
• Proficiency with FEA tools such as ANSYS Mechanical; experience with ANSYS MAPDL or Python scripting is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with structural assessment and design of solid rocket motors is a strong asset.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret aerospace structural requirements and coordinate load development with cross-functional teams.
• Working knowledge of structural instabilities, material nonlinearities, and coupled load environments.
• Exposure to full-lifecycle aerospace SRM propulsion product development, from design through manufacturing and test.
• Strong technical communication skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California is $122,000- $227,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer.

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