Senior Structural Analysis Engineer – Aircraft Modifications

Astronics-; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Astronics CSC in Illinois seeks a Structural Analysis Engineer IV to lead substantiation for STC and OEM aircraft modifications, mentoring engineers and collaborating across design, certification, and OEM teams to ensure safe airborne technology.

You will develop FEMAP/Nastran models, perform analyses on radome installations, fasteners, joints, and interfaces, and prepare certification documentation for FAA/EASA approvals while coordinating with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Structural Engineering.
• Minimum of 5 years of structural analysis experience.
• Proficiency with FEMAP/Nastran and hand analysis.
• Experience with fastener and joint analysis and margins of safety.
• Knowledge of FAA/EASA certification documentation expectations.
• Ability to work independently with cross-functional teams.
• Experience with certification of aircraft structures.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural substantiation for commercial aircraft radome installations in support of STC and OEM Service Bulletin certification programs.
• Develop and evaluate structural finite element models using FEMAP/Nastran, supported by classical hand analysis methods.
• Analyze aircraft structure, installation hardware, fasteners, joints, fittings, adapter plates, and interface structure for strength, stiffness, stability, bearing, bypass, and combined loading.
• Review loads, drawings, material data, installation layouts, and OEM requirements to establish analysis methods, assumptions, and margins of safety.
• Prepare clear structural analysis reports, substantiation packages, and certification documentation for FAA/EASA, DER/ODA UM, OEM, and customer review.
• Coordinate with design, certification, manufacturing, program management, and regulatory representatives to resolve technical issues and support approval activities.
• Support fatigue and damage tolerance, crack growth, nonlinear dynamic, impact, bird strike, test correlation, and other advanced analyses as required.
• Develop and use engineering tools, scripts, and automation methods using MATLAB, Python, or similar software.
• Provide technical guidance, peer review, and mentoring to junior engineers.

Skills

FEMAP/Nastran

Engineering analysis

MATLAB/Python

Aircraft certification knowledge

Mentoring

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Structural Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

LS-DYNA

AFGROW/NASGRO

Job description

Astronics CSC in Illinois seeks a Structural Analysis Engineer IV to lead substantiation for STC and OEM aircraft modifications, mentoring engineers and collaborating across design, certification, and OEM teams to ensure safe airborne technology.

You will develop FEMAP/Nastran models, perform analyses on radome installations, fasteners, joints, and interfaces, and prepare certification documentation for FAA/EASA approvals while coordinating with cross-functional teams.