Senior Structural Analyst – Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

Actalent; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a seasoned Structural Analyst to lead structural, mechanical, and thermal analysis for next‑gen autonomous underwater vehicles. You will perform FEA, validate results with hand calculations, and influence design decisions to ensure performance and reliability in demanding marine environments.

The role requires 7+ years of experience, advanced FEA skills (ANSYS/Abaqus/Nastran), and strong communication with cross-functional teams across design, materials, manufacturing, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering, or related.
• 7+ years of structural or stress analysis experience.
• Advanced proficiency with ANSYS, Abaqus, Nastran, or similar FEA software.
• Experience evaluating hardware through FEA and analytical methods.
• Strong understanding of structural mechanics, material behavior, and failure modes.
• Ability to communicate technical findings and present recommendations to cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural, mechanical, and thermal analyses for autonomous underwater vehicle platforms.
• Conduct Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using industry-standard tools and validate results through engineering hand calculations.
• Analyze structures for buckling, fatigue, fracture, collapse, and load-path performance.
• Support engineering trade studies and provide technical recommendations during design reviews.
• Collaborate closely with design, materials, manufacturing, and test teams throughout the product lifecycle.
• Participate in prototype development, integration activities, and structural test campaigns.
• Develop and execute structural validation methodologies for complex hardware systems.
• Interpret test data and correlate analytical models to improve design accuracy.
• Drive engineering decisions through rigorous analysis and validated test results.

Skills

Structural analysis

FEA software

ANSYS

Abaqus

Nastran

Fatigue analysis

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Eng

Tools

ANSYS

Abaqus

Nastran

Job description

Actalent is seeking a seasoned Structural Analyst to lead structural, mechanical, and thermal analysis for next‑gen autonomous underwater vehicles. You will perform FEA, validate results with hand calculations, and influence design decisions to ensure performance and reliability in demanding marine environments.

The role requires 7+ years of experience, advanced FEA skills (ANSYS/Abaqus/Nastran), and strong communication with cross-functional teams across design, materials, manufacturing, and