Senior Structural Analysis Engineer

Insider, Inc.; Bothell (WA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Discretionary bonuses

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

Insider, Inc. is looking for a Structural Analysis Engineer in Bothell, WA, to manage spacecraft structure verification through finite element analysis and first-principles calculations. The ideal candidate will have 2-5 years of experience in structural analysis, using FEMAP/Nastran or Siemens Simcenter 3D, and proficiency in Python. This role includes collaborating with cross-functional teams and developing automation tools for analysis. Compensation includes salary, medical benefits, and stock options.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years experience in spacecraft structural analysis or substantiation roles.
• Experience performing stress, deflection, buckling, and margin of safety assessments.
• Proficiency with Python and MATLAB for automation.

Responsibilities

• Own structural finite element model for spacecraft structures.
• Perform stress, deflection, stability analyses using FEM.
• Develop Python-based tools to automate analysis workflows.

Skills

Finite Element Analysis

Python

Structural Verification

Stress Analysis

Buckling Assessment

FEMAP/Nastran

MATLAB

Version Control (Git)

Education

BS or MS in Aerospace Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Tools

FEMAP/Nastran

Siemens Simcenter 3D

Job description

The Structural Analysis Engineer is responsible for substantiating spacecraft primary and secondary structures through finite element analysis and first-principles hand calculations. This role owns structural verification activities, including stress, deflection, stability, and margin of safety assessments that support design and qualification decisions. The position works closely with design, manufacturing, and test teams to ensure structural integrity is maintained throughout development.

Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities – Structural Substantiation & Verification

• Own the structural finite element model (FEM) for primary and secondary spacecraft structures and maintain configuration control
• Perform stress, deflection, stability, and margin of safety analyses using FEM and first-principles hand calculations
• Substantiate metallic and composite structures, including strength, stiffness, and buckling assessments
• Develop and document structural verification approaches, assumptions, and acceptance rationale
• Support design trades and architecture decisions through analytical assessment of load paths and structural efficiency
• Partner directly with design engineers to validate and optimize primary and secondary structural designs for strength, stiffness, weight, cost, and manufacturability

Additional Responsibilities – Analysis Automation & Cross-Functional Support

• Develop Python-based tools to automate analysis workflows, post-processing, and margin reporting
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and test teams to resolve structural issues and assess nonconformances
• Support structural qualification and acceptance testing, including pre-test predictions and post-test correlation
• Contribute to structural documentation, analysis reports, and verification artifacts

Basic Qualifications

• 2–5 years of experience in spacecraft structural analysis, primary structures, or structural substantiation roles
• Experience performing stress, deflection, buckling, and margin of safety assessments using FEM and hand calculations
• Proficiency developing and maintaining structural finite element models using FEMAP/Nastran or Siemens Simcenter 3D
• Experience substantiating metallic and composite spacecraft structures, including load path validation
• Experience owning or supporting structural verification efforts through analysis and test
• Proficiency with Python and/or MATLAB for analysis automation, data reduction, and reporting
• Experience using version control systems such as Git in an engineering analysis environment
• BS or MS in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline

Preferred skills & Experience

• Strong ability to perform structural stress analysis and margin of safety calculations for primary and secondary spacecraft structures
• Deep understanding of load paths, structural behavior, and failure modes in metallic and composite structures
• Ability to build, interrogate, and validate finite element models using first-principles reasoning
• Proficiency in developing and applying hand calculations to verify and bound FEM results
• Ability to automate analysis post-processing and verification reporting using Python or MATLAB
• Clear technical communication skills for documenting assumptions, methods, and structural substantiation rationale

Compensation & Benefits

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Portal. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage. Portal is planning to establish future access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and various other discounts and perks. Employees typically have 2-3 weeks of paid vacation per year plus company holidays.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, the applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.