Senior Dynamics & Structural Analysis Engineer

Allen Control Systems; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

ACS Equity Package

Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Allen Control Systems in Mountain View, CA, is seeking an experienced Senior Dynamics & Structural Analysis Engineer to lead analysis of dynamic electromechanical systems for defense applications. You will own simulation, prediction, and validation of structural performance under firing loads, recoil, and shock, working with mechanical designers and test engineers.

Join a fast-moving team delivering durable, reliable products for operational deployment.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of mechanical engineering experience developing complex electromechanical systems.
• Expert knowledge of finite element methods, dynamics, vibration, shock, and fatigue.
• Experience with FEA tools: ANSYS Mechanical, Abaqus, LS-DYNA, Nastran.
• Ability to correlate simulation with physical testing and production.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design and manufacturing methods.

Responsibilities

• Perform linear and nonlinear finite element analyses of electromechanical systems.
• Model transient dynamic events including recoil, firing loads, and vibration.
• Collaborate with design, controls, and test teams to implement improvements.
• Communicate complex structural behavior to multidisciplinary teams.
• Conduct engineering trade studies balancing performance, manufacturability, and durability.
• Write clear test and analysis reports with objectives, methods, results, and conclusions.

Skills

Finite element methods

Dynamic analysis

Mechanical design

Simulation and testing

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ANSYS Mechanical

Abaqus

LS-DYNA

Nastran

Job description

Company Overview

ACS (Allen Control Systems) is a defense technology company building precision robotic systems for the United States and its allies. Founded by two former U.S. Navy electrical engineers with deep experience in robotics and software, ACS brings together AI, computer vision, precision motion, and advanced hardware to solve complex defense challenges across land, air, and maritime environments.

Our flagship product, Bullfrog, is an autonomous precision weapon system that transforms existing weapons into highly accurate counter-drone systems — giving warfighters a scalable, cost-effective response to one of the fastest-growing threats on the modern battlefield. Bullfrog is deployed with U.S. forces, and ACS works with organizations throughout the U.S. military and national security community.

Following a $200 million Series B at a $2.2 billion valuation, ACS is rapidly expanding manufacturing, accelerating Bullfrog deployments, and developing the next generation of autonomous battlefield systems. This is an opportunity to join a proven, fast-moving team and help scale technology with direct, real-world impact on national security.

ACS is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with additional operations in Alexandria, Virginia; Mountain View, California; and Huntsville, Alabama. For more information, visit allencontrolsystems.com.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Dynamics & Structural Analysis Engineer to lead the analysis of highly dynamic electromechanical systems operating in demanding defense environments. This engineer will own the simulation, prediction, and validation of structural performance under firing loads, recoil events, transportation shock, vibration, impact, and other extreme loading conditions. Working closely with mechanical designers, controls engineers, and test engineers, this individual will ensure products achieve the durability, reliability, and performance required for operational deployment. The ideal candidate enjoys solving complex mechanical problems through simulation and testing and understands how to translate analysis into practical engineering improvements.

What You’ll Do

• Perform linear and nonlinear finite element analyses of complex electromechanical systems.
• Model transient dynamic events including motion, recoil, firing loads, impact, drop events, transportation loads, and shock environments. Perform modal, harmonic response, transient, random vibration, response spectrum, and fatigue analyses.
• Work alongside mechanical designers from early concept development through production to make design improvements based on simulation results.
• Ability to clearly communicate complex structural and dynamic behavior to multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Conduct engineering trade studies balancing performance, manufacturability, cost, and durability.
• Write clear, technically rigorous test and analysis reports documenting objectives, methods, assumptions, results, model correlation, conclusions, and recommended actions.

What You’ll Need

• Experience: 7+ years of mechanical engineering experience developing complex electromechanical systems.
• Educational Background: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
• Expert knowledge of finite element methods. Experience with dynamics, vibration, shock, fatigue, and structural mechanics.
• Experience using ANSYS Mechanical, Abaqus, LS-DYNA, Nastran, or similar tools.
• Experience correlating simulation with physical testing.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design and manufacturing methods.

You’ll Stand Out

• Defense or Robotics Experience: Prior experience in defense systems, robotics, autonomous platforms, or safety-critical environments.
• Experience analyzing weapon systems or recoil mechanisms.
• Experience with explicit dynamics, high-rate loading, and topology optimization.
• Robotic Systems Development: Deep expertise in precision mechanisms, motion systems, thermal management, ruggedized hardware, or high-performance electromechanical products.
• Scaling Teams: Experience building or scaling engineering teams in fast-paced startup environments.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• ACS Equity Package
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off

Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.