Senior Structural Analyst - Spacecraft (Stock Options)

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

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.