Senior Structural Analyst

Impulsespace; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, vision & dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Impulse Space in Redondo Beach seeks a Senior Structural Analyst to lead structural analysis for spacecraft. You will own FEM models, align analyses for static and dynamic loads, and drive verification strategies across the vehicle development lifecycle.

The role requires strong fundamentals in mechanics, 5+ years in aerospace structures, and proficiency with NASTRAN/FEMAP and NX CAD. Competitive compensation with bonuses and full benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil/Structural Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in structural analysis, stress analysis, structural dynamics, aerospace structures, spacecraft hardware, launch vehicle hardware, mechanical systems, or related field.
• Strong fundamentals in solid mechanics, strength of materials, structural dynamics, vibration, fatigue, bolted joints, load paths, stiffness, and stability.
• Experience building and running finite element models for complex mechanical or aerospace hardware (NASTRAN, FEMAP, or similar).
• Proficiency with CAD tools (NX or similar).
• Experience analyzing static loads, modal response, random vibration, acoustic environments, fatigue, thermal stress, or coupled structural loads.
• Experience calculating margins for metallic and composite structures.
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or VBA for analysis and automation.

Responsibilities

• Own Global Vehicle FEM models, defining model requirements and fidelity, managing load cases, and maintaining model accuracy across vehicle life cycles.
• Align Vehicle models to be used for both static structural and dynamic (CLA) analysis.
• Develop and perform first-order hand calculations, rapid analytical assessments, and high-fidelity finite element analyses to evaluate static, dynamic, and environmental loads.
• Generate margins for metallic and composite structures, including joints and interfaces (bolted, bonded, etc.).
• Set the standard for analysis at Impulse, generating reusable analysis methods, templates, and workflows that improve structural design speed, consistency, and technical rigor.
• Support the development of scalable analysis approaches and infrastructure aligned with a fast-paced development environment.
• Provide expert input on a wide range of analysis and verification problems, including, pressurized structures, welds, composites, fatigue, stability, non-linear analysis, and more.
• Develop plans for launch loads derivation, test loads definition, qualification strategy, acceptance testing, and structural verification.
• Correlate FEM models with test and flight data to improve prediction accuracy.
• Drive root-cause investigations for structural failures, test anomalies, model-test correlation gaps, and hardware nonconformances.

Skills

Structural analysis

FEM/FEA

Python

MATLAB

VBA

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace or Civil/Structural Engineering

Tools

NASTRAN

FEMAP

NX CAD

Job description

Senior Structural Analyst

Department: Vehicle Engineering

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Redondo Beach

Compensation: $140,000 - $205,000 / year

Description

As a Senior Structural Analyst at Impulse, you will partner closely with vehicle engineering teams to lead structural analysis efforts that ensure our spacecraft meet rigorous performance and reliability standards. You will help define the analytical approaches, models, and verification strategies that guide the vehicle’s development, while supporting the creation of processes and tools that enable fast, high‑quality decision‑making across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Own Global Vehicle FEM models, defining model requirements and fidelity, managing load cases, and maintaining model accuracy across vehicle life cycles
• Align Vehicle models to be used for both static structural and dynamic (CLA) analysis
• Develop and perform first-order hand calculations, rapid analytical assessments, and high-fidelity finite element analyses to evaluate static, dynamic, and environmental loads against strength, stiffness, stability, and fatigue
• Generate margins for metallic and composite structures, including joints and interfaces (bolted, bonded, etc.)
• Set the standard for analysis at Impulse, generating reusable analysis methods, templates, and workflows that improve structural design speed, consistency, and technical rigor
• Support the development of scalable analysis approaches and infrastructure aligned with a fast-paced development environment
• Provide expert input on a wide range of analysis and verification problems, including, pressurized structures, welds, composites, fatigue, stability, non-linear analysis, and more
• Develop plans for launch loads derivation, test loads definition, qualification strategy, acceptance testing, and structural verification.
• Correlate FEM models with test and flight data to improve prediction accuracy
• Drive root-cause investigations for structural failures, test anomalies, model-test correlation gaps, and hardware nonconformances

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil/Structural Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or a related technical discipline
• 5+ years of experience in structural analysis, stress analysis, structural dynamics, aerospace structures, spacecraft hardware, launch vehicle hardware, mechanical systems, or a related field
• Strong fundamentals in solid mechanics, strength of materials, structural dynamics, vibration, fatigue, bolted joints, load paths, stiffness, and stability
• Experience building and running finite element models for complex mechanical or aerospace hardware (NASTRAN, FEMAP, or similar)
• Proficiency with CAD tools (NX or similar)
• Experience analyzing static loads, modal response, random vibration, acoustic environments, fatigue, thermal stress, or coupled structural loads.
• Experience calculating margins for metallic and composite structures
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or VBA for analysis and automation

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or related field
• Experience with spacecraft or launch vehicle hardware
• Experience defining loads, requirements, and verification approaches across the design lifecycle
• Experience leading or supporting vibration testing and structural qualification campaigns
• Experience performing trade studies to inform system and component architecture
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present technical insights clearly
• Experience with vibro-acoustic analysis or testing
• Experience generating unit-level vibration specifications
• Experience correlating FEM models with test or flight data

Additional Information

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full‑time hires, you may also be eligible for long‑term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.