Materials and Structures Engineer

Executive Recruiting Group; Broomfield (CO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Executive Recruiting Group is seeking a Structures & Materials Engineer to lead design, analysis, qualification, and continuous improvement of structural and thermal components for next-generation rocket propulsion systems and flight vehicles.

You will collaborate across design, manufacturing, and test teams to develop high-performance hardware that withstands extreme environments, perform FEA using ANSYS or Abaqus, and specify aerospace materials, including composites and metals.

Qualifications

• Design and analyze aerospace structural components.
• Perform structural and thermal FEA using ANSYS, Abaqus, or similar.
• Select and qualify aerospace materials including composites and metals.
• Support additive manufacturing for structural components.
• Lead structural failure investigations and implement corrective actions.

Responsibilities

• Design flight structures, rocket motor cases, nozzles and other structural components.
• Conduct structural and thermal FEA using ANSYS or Abaqus.
• Support static-fire testing and flight test activities by analyzing data and validating designs.
• Collaborate with propulsion, manufacturing, systems, and test engineering teams to optimize performance and weight.
• Drive continuous improvement to enhance structural performance and production efficiency.

Skills

Structural analysis

Thermal analysis

Materials selection

Additive manufacturing

Root cause analysis

Flight hardware design

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical/Aerospace/Materials Engineering

Tools

ANSYS

Abaqus

Job description

We are seeking a Structures & Materials Engineer to lead the design, analysis, qualification, and continuous improvement of structural and thermal components supporting next-generation rocket propulsion systems and flight vehicles. In this role, you will work across design, manufacturing, and test organizations to develop high-performance hardware capable of operating in extreme environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop flight structures, rocket motor cases, nozzles, and other structural components for propulsion systems.
• Perform structural and thermal finite element analyses (FEA) using tools such as ANSYS or Abaqus.
• Select and qualify aerospace materials, including composites, metals, insulation, and thermal protection materials.
• Support the design, qualification, and implementation of additive manufacturing solutions for structural components.
• Lead structural failure investigations, perform root cause analyses, and implement corrective actions.
• Support component qualification, static-fire testing, and flight test activities by analyzing test data and validating designs.
• Collaborate with propulsion, manufacturing, systems, and test engineering teams to optimize performance, manufacturability, reliability, and weight.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance structural performance and production efficiency.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience designing and analyzing aerospace structural components.
• Experience performing structural and thermal finite element analysis using ANSYS, Abaqus, or similar software.
• Strong understanding of composite materials and aerospace metals.
• U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations.

Preferred Qualification:

• Experience designing structures for rocket propulsion, missile, launch vehicle, or hypersonic systems.
• Knowledge of thermal protection systems (TPS), insulation materials, and high-temperature structural applications.
• Experience supporting static-fire testing, structural qualification, or flight test programs.
• Familiarity with additive manufacturing processes and design for additive manufacturing (DfAM).
• Active U.S. Department of Defense security clearance.