Senior Thermostructures Engineering, Casual

The Aerospace Corporation; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 152,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Flexible spending accounts

Telework options

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Senior Thermostructures Engineer for a casual, remote, part-time position. You will apply solid mechanics and FEM methods to validate space structures, including metallic and composite hardware, across launch and spacecraft domains.

You will mentor early career staff, perform peer reviews, and lead cross‑functional studies while maintaining strong customer relationships and contributing to mission assurance with DoD partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 12 years progressively responsible experience.
• Expert knowledge in failure mechanics of metallic/composite hardware.
• Strong background in structural analysis and verification methods.

Responsibilities

• Serve as senior mentor for early career staff and provide technical guidance.
• Conduct peer reviews of technical products and findings.
• Lead technical studies across organizational teams and coordinate risk assessments.
• Represent the organization at technical meetings and symposia.
• Support mission assurance for US Space Force, USAF, and NRO programs.

Skills

Solid mechanics

Structural analysis

Technical leadership

Space industry passion

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Mentat/Marc

Nastran

Abaqus

Ansys

Job description

## Senior Thermostructures Engineering, CasualApply: Remote - US: Part time: Posted Today: End Date: September 22, 2026 (4 days left to apply): R016634The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future space systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; orbital mechanics; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments.The Structures Department within the Structural Mechanics Subdivision of VSD is seeking a well-qualified individual to serve as a **Senior Thermostructures Engineer (MTS 3 - Casual)**. Ideal candidates will have a strong foundation in solid mechanics, practical experience in structural analysis using both hand calculations and finite element analysis techniques, a passion for the space industry, and a desire to apply their expertise and creativity to help solve a variety of technical challenges.The Structures Department has insight into the structural integrity of launch vehicles, spacecraft, hypersonic technologies, liquid rocket engines, solid rocket motors, pressurized structural systems, electronic components, and thermal protection systems being developed across the aerospace industry and develops technical assessments to help inform government customer decisions.**This is a casual, remote position. Casual positions are less than 1,000 hours per year, usually non-continuous, irregular and infrequent.****What You’ll Be Doing*** Serve as senior mentor for the development of early career staff, providing technical guidance and insight* Conduct peer reviews of technical products and findings* Maintain authoritative expertise in the development, analysis, and verification of space structures, thorough knowledge of structural design criteria in combination with structural test methods* Publish clarifications, insights, and guidance on technical topics to assist industry in enhancing mission assurance practices or advancing the state-of-practice in structural verification and validation* Provide technical leadership as part of mission assurance processes for U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force, and NRO missions to assure structural integrity. Typical tasks include independent analyses and assessments, hardware reviews, review and evaluation of stress analysis reports, evaluation of flight data, and investigation of flight and test anomalies* Lead and coordinate technical studies across organizational personnel* Assess program risk and advise program office and customers during certification, development, and/or operational phases of programs* Act as the organization’s lead representative at technical meetings, presentations, and symposia* Identify, evaluate, and resolve issues, anomalies, or challenges related to aerospace thermostructural technologies**What You Need to be Successful***Minimum Requirements:** Bachelor’s degree and 12 years or more years showing progressively increased responsibility* Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships with customers and contractor personnel* Demonstrated ability to lead cross-organization teams through all phases of product execution* Expert knowledge in the failure mechanics of metallic and composite hardware associated with typical manufacturing and processing issues* Expert knowledge in using Mentat/Marc, Nastran, Abaqus, Ansys, or other commercial finite element tools* Willing to occasionally travel domestically to work locations or customer sites* Ability to obtain and maintain a US security clearance, which is issued by the US government. US citizenship is required.**How You Can Stand Out***It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:** Advanced degree in engineering with a focus in structural and/or solid mechanics or a closely related field* Experience collaborating across the contractor product lines and industry working groups* Ablative composite technology (failure criteria, material characterization, and erosion and progressive damage analysis)We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.(Min - Max)$0.00 - $480.00Pay Basis: Hourly**Leadership Competencies**Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:* Operate Strategically* Lead Change* Engage with Impact* Foster Innovation* Deliver Results**Ways We Reward Our Employees**During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. *A few highlights include:** Comprehensive health care and wellness plans* Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation* Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options* 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire* Flexible spending accounts* Variable pay program for exceptional contributions* Relocation assistance* Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career* Education assistance programs* An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respectWe are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.**Equal Opportunity Commitment**The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [e-mail] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.### About Us***Right Place***The Aerospace Corporation has over 26 locations nationwide, which allows us to build a workforce that will nurture the best ideas, and generate the most novel innovations and solutions to our nation’s toughest space enterprise challenges.***Right Path***Aerospace covers all stages of the space lifecycle, from concept to operations. We believe our people are our most valuable resource and that’s why we propel our employees forward in their careers through ongoing education, training, and professional development.***Right Purpose***We can all serve a mission much greater than ourselves, and at Aerospace that is exactly what we do. By hiring the industry’s most preeminent scientists and engineers, Aerospace advances emerging technologies that protect some of the most critical missions on Earth and above it.