Senior Structural Engineer

InnoForge; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

InnoForge in El Segundo is seeking a Senior Structures & Analysis Engineer to lead structural analysis across spacecraft hardware. You will perform static and dynamic analyses, develop FEA models, and ensure margins of safety in collaboration with design, manufacturing and test teams.

The role emphasizes first‑principles problem solving, experience with aerospace hardware, and close interaction with cross‑functional groups to drive mass optimization and hardware improvements.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of structural, stress, loads or structural dynamics experience.
• Strong fundamentals in mechanics of materials, statics and dynamics.
• Experience with FEMAP/NASTRAN, ANSYS or Abaqus.
• Ability to analyze aerospace or high‑performance hardware from first principles.

Responsibilities

• Structural analysis across spacecraft, payload and deployment hardware.
• Static, dynamic, vibration, buckling, fatigue and fracture analysis.
• FEA alongside first‑principles and hand calculations.
• Structural dynamics, loads and margins of safety.
• Supporting vibration, shock and structural qualification testing.
• Correlating analytical models against real test data.
• Working closely with mechanical design, manufacturing, systems and test teams.
• Driving structural trades, mass optimisation and hardware improvements.

Skills

Structural analysis

Mechanics of materials

Statics & dynamics

First principles analysis

Aerospace hardware

Tools

FEMAP

NASTRAN

ANSYS

Abaqus

Job description

I'm working with an early-stage space company in El Segundo that is growing its mechanical engineering team and looking for a Senior Structures & Analysis Engineer.

They're developing first-of-its-kind spacecraft hardware for commercial and government missions, with engineers getting significant ownership across design, analysis, testing and flight readiness.

What you'll be working on:

• Structural analysis across spacecraft, payload and deployment hardware
• Static, dynamic, vibration, buckling, fatigue and fracture analysis
• FEA alongside first-principles and hand calculations
• Structural dynamics, loads and margins of safety
• Supporting vibration, shock and structural qualification testing
• Correlating analytical models against real test data
• Working closely with mechanical design, manufacturing, systems and test teams
• Driving structural trades, mass optimisation and hardware improvements

What they're looking for:

• Around 5 to 10 years of structural, stress, loads or structural dynamics experience
• Strong fundamentals in mechanics of materials, statics and dynamics
• Experience with tools such as FEMAP/NASTRAN, ANSYS or Abaqus
• Experience analysing aerospace or other high-performance hardwareSomeone comfortable working from first principles rather than relying solely on software outputs

Spacecraft, launch vehicle, mechanisms or deployment-system experience would be particularly relevant.

This position involves access to U.S. export-controlled space technology. Candidates must meet applicable ITAR/export-control requirements, including being a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee/asylee, or otherwise being eligible to obtain the required U.S. Department of State authorisation.