Senior Structural Engineer

Insight Global; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Insight Global is seeking a Sr. Structural Dynamics Engineer in the Clear Lake area (South Houston, TX) to lead analysis and testing of spacecraft hardware in dynamic environments. You will develop FE models, perform modal and vibration analyses, and support spacecraft-level testing with data correlation.

The role requires 10+ years in engineering, 5+ years in structural dynamics, travel 30–40%, and proficiency with Nastran, MATLAB, and Python to validate predictions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace or related field.
• Willingness to travel to test facilities (30-40%).
• 10+ years of experience with 5+ years in structural dynamics.
• Experience with vibration, shock, and modal testing; test planning and data correlation.
• Proficient in analytical simulations and FEA with Nastran.
• Proficient in static and dynamic analyses (sine, random, shock, vibro-acoustic).
• Experience in time and frequency domain signal analysis.
• Proficient in MATLAB or Python for simulations and data analysis.
• Familiar with SMC / MIL-STD / NASA standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead analysis and testing of spacecraft hardware in dynamic environments.
• Develop finite element models and perform modal and vibration analyses.
• Support spacecraft-level testing and validate analytical predictions with hands-on tests.
• Plan and execute ground vibration, modal, and vibro-acoustic testing.
• Troubleshoot dynamic performance issues and refine models using Nastran, MATLAB, or Python.

Skills

Structural dynamics analysis

Vibration testing

Finite element modeling

Static and dynamic analyses

Signal analysis

MATLAB

Python

Data correlation

Time/frequency data analysis

NASA/SMC standards familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Nastran

Simcenter NX Nastran

MEscope

Vibration Research software

ANSA

META

EPYLISIS

Job description

Location

Clear Lake (South Houston, TX, 100% on-site)

Must Haves:

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• Willingness to travel to test facilities and work at test sites (30-40%)
• 10+ years of experience with 5+ years of experience specifically in structural dynamics analysis and test
• Experience with vibration, shock, and modal testing, from writing test plans, execution, interpretation of results, and using data to correlate models.
• Proficient with performing analytical simulations and finite element modeling in Nastran.
• Proficient in performing static and dynamic analyses such as sine vibration, random vibration, shock, and vibro-acoustic analysis both with FEA and traditional hand calculations.
• Experience in signal analysis and analyzing data in both the time and frequency domain.
• Proficient in coding, performing simulations, and analyzing data in MATLAB or Python.
• Familiarity with relevant SMC / MIL-STD / NASA standards for analysis and test.

Plusses:

• Experience with Beta CAE products for finite element modeling and data post-processing. (ANSA, META, EPYLISIS)
• Experience with Simcenter (NX) Nastran
• Experience with Vibration Research test software
• Experience with MEscope
• Experience with spacecraft level vibration testing.

Day to day:

Our client is seeking a Sr. Structural Dynamics Engineer that will lead the analysis and testing of spacecraft hardware in dynamic environments, ensuring structures can withstand vibration, shock, acoustic, and launch loads. This role is responsible for developing finite element models, performing modal and vibration analyses, supporting spacecraft-level testing, and validating analytical predictions through hands-on test execution and data correlation. On a day-to-day basis, the engineer will work closely with structural and test teams to plan and execute ground vibration, modal, and vibro-acoustic testing, troubleshoot dynamic performance issues, analyze test results, and refine models using Nastran, MATLAB, or Python.