Spacecraft Structures Lead — Analysis & Design

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

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.