Senior Loads & Dynamics Engineer – Vehicle Systems

Zone 5 Technologies; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 223,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401k with company match

Paid time off

Sick time

Holidays

Job summary

Zone 5 Technologies seeks an experienced Loads Engineer to lead system‑level structural and dynamics analysis for air‑launched effects, interceptors, and next‑gen munitions. You’ll assemble full‑vehicle models, perform MIL‑STD‑8591 store carriage and separation analyses, and validate results with ground tests.

You will guide the team in developing robust procedures, collaborate across Structures, Aerodynamics, Propulsion, GNC, and Systems Engineering, and prepare reports for design reviews while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering; Master's typical for candidates at this level, though exceptional applied experience can substitute.
• 8+ years of system-level structural and dynamics analysis in a program-driven environment.
• Experience building full-vehicle finite element models (NASTRAN/PATRAN, ANSYS) for structural loads and dynamics analysis.
• Experience aeroelastic analysis (flutter, divergence, dynamic response) using ZAERO or NASTRAN aeroelastic modules.
• Understanding of composite materials, with certified composites exposure a plus.
• Experience planning and guiding ground vibration testing and correlating test results with models.
• Experience with MIL-STD-8591 store carriage analysis.
• Python/MATLAB for automation; Git/SVN for version control.
• Strong written and verbal communication; DoD clearance eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Assemble and maintain full-vehicle structural models for loads and vibration analysis.
• Perform MIL-STD-8591 store carriage, suspension, and separation loads analysis on air-launched effects and munitions.
• Guide ground testing to validate models against data.
• Develop and document loads/dynamics procedures for model development and reporting.
• Support aeroelastic analysis and structural modeling across flight envelopes.
• Collaborate with multiple engineering disciplines to integrate results into vehicle design.
• Conduct trades and sensitivity analyses to inform design decisions.
• Generate technical reports and present results at design reviews (PDR/CDR).
• Interface with customers and mentor junior engineers on methods and tools.

Skills

Loads & dynamics

Nastran/Patran

Aeroelastic analysis

Python/MATLAB

Ground-test correlation

MIL-STD-8591

Git/SVN

DoD clearance readiness

Education

Bachelor's in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

NASTRAN

Patran

ANSYS

ZAERO

Job description

Zone 5 Technologies seeks an experienced Loads Engineer to lead system‑level structural and dynamics analysis for air‑launched effects, interceptors, and next‑gen munitions. You’ll assemble full‑vehicle models, perform MIL‑STD‑8591 store carriage and separation analyses, and validate results with ground tests.

You will guide the team in developing robust procedures, collaborate across Structures, Aerodynamics, Propulsion, GNC, and Systems Engineering, and prepare reports for design reviews while