Senior Structural Analysis Engineer — Spacecraft (Hybrid WA)

Darwin Recruitment; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment seeks a Senior Structural Analysis Engineer to support development, verification and testing of advanced satellite systems and aerospace hardware. The role emphasizes FEM development for spacecraft structures, modal, static and vibration analyses, and collaboration with mechanical, systems, and launch teams to ensure flight-worthiness and mission success.

This hybrid Washington State role combines hands-on analysis with test planning and data correlation, requiring six plus

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 6+ years of professional experience performing structural analysis on spacecraft, launch vehicles, or aerospace structures.
• Experience performing static, modal, and vibration analyses to predict loads, stresses, and responses.
• Proficiency with NASTRAN structural analysis software.
• Experience using FEM pre/post-processing tools such as Femap or Patran.

Responsibilities

• Lead moderate-scale structural analysis activities while coordinating with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Develop and maintain finite element models for spacecraft components, subassemblies, integrated satellites, and related hardware.
• Perform and document structural analyses including modal, static stress, and vibration response assessments.
• Generate technical reports, presentations, and verification documentation capturing analysis and test results.
• Collaborate with design engineers to optimise spacecraft structures for performance, reliability, manufacturability, and mission requirements.
• Develop and execute structural test plans and procedures for vibration, shock, and static load testing.
• Support test activities including pre-test analysis, instrumentation planning, test execution, data reduction, and post-test model correlation.
• Develop and maintain structural analysis tools, workflows, and automation methods to improve engineering efficiency.

Skills

Structural analysis

Finite element modeling

Vibration analysis

Engineering collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

NASTRAN

Femap

Patran

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Darwin Recruitment seeks a Senior Structural Analysis Engineer to support development, verification and testing of advanced satellite systems and aerospace hardware. The role emphasizes FEM development for spacecraft structures, modal, static and vibration analyses, and collaboration with mechanical, systems, and launch teams to ensure flight-worthiness and mission success.

This hybrid Washington State role combines hands-on analysis with test planning and data correlation, requiring six plus