Spacecraft Structural Dynamics Engineer I

Cedarparktexasedc; Cedar Park (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision plans

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Short term disability

Flexible PTO options

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Structural Dynamics Engineer - Spacecraft to own analysis, modeling, verification, and validation of dynamic environments and structural responses for launch and spaceflight. The role collaborates across structures, mechanisms, thermal, and systems teams throughout the spacecraft development lifecycle.

The candidate will conduct modal and random vibration analyses, support environmental test planning, and deliver rigorous technical documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering or closely related field.
• 1+ years of hands-on experience in spacecraft or launch vehicle structural dynamics.
• Fundamental understanding of structural dynamics principles.
• Experience with Craig-Bampton model reduction and coupled loads analysis; environmental testing support.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers and influencing cross-functional design decisions.
• Proficiency in Nastran/Femap (or equivalent FE tools).
• Experience with Python (pandas, numpy, scipy) or MATLAB for data processing and analysis.
• Solid understanding of signal processing concepts (FFT, PSD, filtering).

Responsibilities

• Perform structural dynamics analysis including modal, frequency response, and random vibration simulations of spacecraft structures and components.
• Support definition and verification of dynamic environments (random vibration, shock, acoustics).
• Conduct test-analysis correlation using vibration, acoustic, and shock test data.
• Contribute to environmental test planning, instrumentation recommendations, and post-test data review.
• Analyze component-level responses under dynamic loads (solar arrays, antennas, mechanisms, payloads).
• Deliver clear technical documentation and presentations.

Skills

Spacecraft structural dynamics

Modal analysis

Random vibration

Environmental testing

Mentoring junior engineers

Python (pandas, numpy, scipy)

MATLAB for data analysis

Signal processing (FFT, PSD)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Structural Eng

Master’s degree in Structural Dynamics or related field

Tools

Nastran/Femap

PyNastran

Python

Job description

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Structural Dynamics Engineer - Spacecraft to own analysis, modeling, verification, and validation of dynamic environments and structural responses for launch and spaceflight. The role collaborates across structures, mechanisms, thermal, and systems teams throughout the spacecraft development lifecycle.

The candidate will conduct modal and random vibration analyses, support environmental test planning, and deliver rigorous technical documentation.