Senior Space Structures Engineer

ViaSat Inc.; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 224,000; Full time

Job summary

Viasat is seeking a highly skilled Staff Structural Analysis Engineer to join our space infrastructure team. You will lead and perform structural analyses to ensure spacecraft hardware survives launch and in-orbit environments with adequate margins.

The role requires deep technical expertise, independent problem solving, and mentorship of engineers across multiple disciplines. This position is based in the United States with on-site collaboration across facilities in San Jose, the Bay Area, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of mechanical engineering experience, including spaceflight hardware.
• Demonstrated experience leading structural analysis and subsystem development for spacecraft or related aerospace systems.
• Strong understanding of structural, dynamic, shock, and environmental requirements for space applications.
• Experience with ANSYS, Nastran, Simcenter, or equivalent analysis tools.
• Experience with CAD tools such as Creo, SolidWorks, NX, or equivalent.
• Experience with environmental qualification and acceptance testing including vibration, shock, and thermal cycling.
• Ability to independently solve complex technical problems with limited direction.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting analysis data to management and customers.
• Experience working within cross-functional product development teams.
• U.S. Citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural analysis and verification to ensure hardware survives launch, deployment, and operational environments with adequate margin.
• Lead structural analysis for satellite structures, mechanisms, electronics packaging, and deployable systems.
• Perform and direct structural, vibration, dynamic, shock, and environmental analyses to validate flight hardware designs.
• Independently define problems, evaluate trade studies, and develop engineering solutions balancing performance, schedule, cost, and risk.
• Own structural verification from concept through qualification, production, integration, and on-orbit support.
• Develop engineering requirements, specifications, procedures, and qualification plans related to structural performance.
• Lead hardware structural testing, environmental testing, and anomaly resolution activities.
• Drive Design Reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR) and provide technical recommendations to program leadership.
• Collaborate with systems, thermal, electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, reliability, and supply chain teams to ensure successful product execution.
• Evaluate new technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes to improve structural performance and scalability.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior engineers and designers.
• Serve as a recognized subject matter expert in spacecraft structural analysis.

Skills

Structural analysis

Spaceflight hardware

Cross-functional teams

Leadership mentorship

Technical communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace

Tools

ANSYS

Nastran

Simcenter

Creo

SolidWorks

NX

Job description

Viasat is seeking a highly skilled Staff Structural Analysis Engineer to join our space infrastructure team. You will lead and perform structural analyses to ensure spacecraft hardware survives launch and in-orbit environments with adequate margins.

The role requires deep technical expertise, independent problem solving, and mentorship of engineers across multiple disciplines. This position is based in the United States with on-site collaboration across facilities in San Jose, the Bay Area, and