Senior Dynamic Stress Analysis Engineer

ExoTerra Resource LLC; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 115,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

Paid time off

Comprehensive health benefits

Career development opportunities

Job summary

ExoTerra Resource LLC is seeking a Senior Dynamic Stress Analysis Engineer to lead structural dynamics analyses for EP flight hardware. You will assess HETs, propellant systems, and power electronics under launch and on-orbit conditions, and collaborate across design, test, and management teams.

The role requires 8+ years in mechanical or aerospace dynamics, strong FEA skills (Abaqus/Nastran), and experience with dynamic testing and reporting to customers. ITAR considerations apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 8+ years of industry experience.
• Strong fundamentals in structural mechanics and dynamics.
• FEA experience to evaluate margins and SRS survivability.
• Expertise in transient dynamic shock analysis.
• Experience with dynamic testing (random vibration, shock).

Responsibilities

• Lead dynamic stress analyses of aerospace components and assemblies.
• Use FEA to assess structural margins and SRS survivability.
• Support dynamic testing and pre-flight verification.
• Interface with customers, present results, and deliver reports.
• Support multiple programs and sign-off flight hardware.
• Contribute to process and efficiency improvements.
• Collaborate with program management, design, manufacturing, and analysis teams.

Skills

Dynamic stress analyses

Finite element analysis

Transient dynamic analysis

Dynamic testing

Customer communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Abaqus

Femap

Nastran

Matlab

Python

Job description

ExoTerra is seeking a full-time Senior Dynamic Stress Analysis Engineer to lead the structural dynamics analysis of our electric propulsion (EP) flight hardware. The hired employee will assess the structural integrity of Hall-effect thrusters (HETs), propellant management systems, and power electronics when subjected to launch and on-orbit environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise in dynamic stress analyses (shock and random vibration) of aerospace components and assemblies
• Assess component designs using finite element analysis to evaluate structural margins and shock response spectrum survivability
• Support dynamic testing (random vibration, shock) of sensitive aerospace components and propulsion systems with an emphasis on dynamic transient analysis to reduce risks to flight hardware.
• Understand customer‑specified requirements, interface with customers, present analysis results to customers in design reviews, and prepare reports of analysis results for delivery to customers
• Provide support for multiple programs simultaneously
• Support signoff of flight hardware for delivery to customers
• Contribute to process and efficiency improvements
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with various teams, including program management, design, manufacturing, analysis, etc.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• 8+ years of industry experience (pay/level commensurate with experience)
• Solid foundation in fundamentals of structural mechanics and dynamics
• Experience performing finite element analysis (FEA) to evaluate structural margins and shock response spectrum (SRS) survivability of component designs
• Expertise in transient dynamic shock analysis
• Expertise in dynamic testing (random vibration, shock, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency with Abaqus
• Proficiency with Femap and Nastran
• Proficiency with Matlab or Python
• Experience with space or satellite hardware
• Expertise with design, analysis, and implementation of dynamic test fixturing and shock‑isolation to support successful testing at high load levels
• Expertise in structural analysis of technical ceramics or other brittle materials

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Competitive salary range: $115,000-$175,000 (dependent on experience and qualifications)

ExoTerra offers a comprehensive, total compensation package, which includes competitive salary, a discretionary annual bonus plan, paid time off (PTO), a comprehensive health benefit package and various other benefits. When you join our team, you’re not just an employee; you become part of a dynamic community dedicated to innovation and excellence.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

ExoTerra is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.