Senior Structural Analyst — FEM & Flight Structures

Socket.dev; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 144,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer Aviation is seeking an experienced structural analyst to perform and oversee stress analysis for aerospace structures. You will combine hand calculations with FEM (Nastran, Optistruct, Ansys, Abaqus, LS-Dyna) to validate design concepts and structural integrity throughout the program lifecycle.

Lead the development of standards, mentor junior engineers, and ensure analyses support FAA airworthiness documentation.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of experience with aircraft, spacecraft, launch vehicle or powertrain structures.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering; MS preferred.
• Proven experience with stress, fatigue, and/or damage tolerance analysis on metallic and/or composite structures.
• Experience in performing structural analysis via a combination of classical hand calculations and Finite Element Analysis.
• Able to develop free-body diagrams for internal and reaction load derivation, and strength analysis.
• Proficient in Nastran, Optistruct, Ansys, Abaqus, LS-Dyna.
• Strong understanding of FEM modeling techniques (boundary conditions, bolted connections, contact, verification methods).
• Knowledge of fatigue/fracture (AFGRO/NASGRO, spectra development, NDE methods, damage tolerance).
• Self-starter, team player, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform trade studies, requirements derivation, and establish overall vehicle configuration.
• Complete hand calculations and FEM analysis of primary and secondary aerospace structures.
• Develop company standards for model creation, strength checks, and analysis reports.
• Compile stress analysis documentation to support release of engineering drawings.
• Mentor designers and junior analysts in stress analytics best practices.
• Provide technical guidance on design concepts balancing risk, cost and performance.
• Conduct stress analysis using FEM for static, dynamic, fatigue, and damage tolerance.
• Support test execution and analyze results to verify designs meet requirements.
• Write detailed substantiation reports to obtain FAA airworthiness approvals.

Skills

Aircraft structures

Finite Element Analysis

Nastran

Optistruct

Ansys

Abaqus

LS-Dyna

Hand calculations

FEM modeling

Fatigue & fracture knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

MS preferred

Tools

Nastran

Optistruct

Ansys

Abaqus

LS-Dyna

Job description

Archer Aviation is seeking an experienced structural analyst to perform and oversee stress analysis for aerospace structures. You will combine hand calculations with FEM (Nastran, Optistruct, Ansys, Abaqus, LS-Dyna) to validate design concepts and structural integrity throughout the program lifecycle.

Lead the development of standards, mentor junior engineers, and ensure analyses support FAA airworthiness documentation.