Loads and Dynamics Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Professional growth and development

Education assistance programs

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Loads and Dynamics Engineer to perform structural dynamic analyses of launch vehicle and spacecraft loads across flight phases. You will develop simulation tools, assemble coupled models, and compare predictions with flight data to improve methods.

Minimum qualifications include a Mechanical/Structural/Aerospace degree, 6 years of experience, FEA with Nastran/DMAP, and ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Structural, or Aerospace Engineering or similar field.
• 6 years applicable professional or educational experience.
• Experience with finite-element model development techniques and software.
• Knowledge of classical vibration and transient response analysis theory.
• Sound knowledge of Linear Algebra and its application in structural dynamic computations.
• Willingness to travel ~5% and ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance.
• U.S. citizenship required for security clearance.
• Senior level: 10 years of total applicable experience.
• Leadership or project management experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural dynamic analyses and evaluations of launch vehicle and spacecraft loads for all phases of flight
• Develop simulation tools and processes to solve structural dynamics problems
• Assemble coupled system models across a variety of launch vehicles and spacecrafts
• Evaluate analytical predictions versus flight sensor data to develop recommendations to improve loads analysis methods
• Plan and oversee the execution of mode survey testing for various launch vehicle and space vehicle components, including test data quality verification and finite element model correlation to test data
• Conduct analyses and investigations to solve a broad range of structural dynamics problems requiring advanced treatment and/or coordination within the department and other technical disciplines
• Provide technical support and expertise to program offices and external customers in the discipline of structural dynamics
• Mentor peers and less experienced team members

Skills

Structural dynamics

Finite-element analysis

Vibration analysis

Mode survey testing

Team leadership / PM

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Structural, or Aerospace Engineering

Advanced degree in Mechanical, Structural, or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Nastran

DMAP programming

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; orbital mechanics; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments. The Structural Dynamics and Environments Department is seeking a Loads and Dynamics Engineer (Engineering Specialist/Sr. Engineering Specialist - Aeronautical and Aerospace Structural Engineering). Our mission is to provide to our internal and external customers the highest quality technical expertise in the areas of analytical, experimental, flexible, and rigid body dynamics for the design, development, acquisition, and operation of space launch and orbital systems. We specialize in spacecraft and launch vehicle dynamics; mode survey test planning and independent data assessment; time series data analysis; independent integrated spacecraft/launch vehicle coupled loads analysis; and flexible system separation analysis and testing. This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA.; Huntsville, AL., Colorado Springs, CO.; or Chantilly, VA.; requiring at least 4 days a week onsite.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Perform structural dynamic analyses and evaluations of launch vehicle and spacecraft loads for all phases of flight
• Develop simulation tools and processes to solve structural dynamics problems
• Assemble coupled system models across a variety of launch vehicles and spacecrafts
• Evaluate analytical predictions versus flight sensor data to develop recommendations to improve loads analysis methods
• Plan and oversee the execution of mode survey testing for various launch vehicle and space vehicle components, including test data quality verification and finite element model correlation to test data
• Conduct analyses and investigations to solve a broad range of structural dynamics problems requiring advanced treatment and/or coordination within the department and other technical disciplines
• Provide technical support and expertise to program offices and external customers in the discipline of structural dynamics
• Mentor peers and less experienced team members

What You Need to be Successful

• Minimum Requirements for the Engineering Specialist- Aeronautical and Aerospace Structural Engineering: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Structural, or Aerospace Engineering or similar field
• 6 years applicable professional or educational experience
• Experience with finite-element model development techniques and software
• Knowledge of classical vibration and transient response analysis theory
• Sound knowledge of Linear Algebra and its application in structural dynamic computations
• Willingness to occasionally travel and to work off-business hours to support customer needs, approximately ~5%, as required
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• In addition to the requirements above, the minimum requirements for the Senior Engineering Specialist- Aeronautical and Aerospace Structural Engineering are: 10 years of total applicable professional or educational experience
• Prior experience with leading teams or performing project management roles

How You Can Stand Out

• It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
• Advanced degree in Mechanical, Structural, or Aerospace Engineering or similar field with related coursework in structural dynamics is strongly preferred Experience with high frequency data acquisition and signal processing Skilled with mode survey and other dynamic testing Knowledge of component-mode synthesis techniques and finite-element analysis programs, especially experience with Nastran and DMAP programming Project management or team lead experience related to development of computational analysis tools and maintenance of finite-element analysis best practices/methodologies

Benefits

• 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

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.

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