Sr. Structural Dynamics Test Engineer

Intuitive Machines Llc; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive Machines is seeking a talented and experienced Sr Structural Dynamics Engineer to join our dynamic team. You will support test and analysis of spacecraft hardware under dynamic environments.

As a senior engineer, you will perform vibration, modal testing, and FE modeling using Nastran, and collaborate with test teams to validate designs while traveling to test facilities as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering.
• 10+ years of experience with at least 5 in structural dynamics analysis and testing.
• Experience with vibration, shock, and modal testing across test plans and data interpretation.
• Strong proficiency in Nastran-based analytical simulations and FEA.
• Familiarity with space hardware standards (SMC / MIL-STD / NASA).

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute ground vibration and modal testing on spacecraft hardware.
• Develop finite element and test display models for dynamic analyses.
• Collaborate with test engineers to define plans and instrumentation.
• Provide on-site support for modal, vibration, and vibro-acoustic testing.
• Prepare technical reports and present results to stakeholders.

Skills

Structural dynamics

Ground vibration testing

Modal testing

Finite element analysis

MATLAB

Python

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's or higher degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Nastran

Simcenter NX Nastran

Beta CAE tools (ANSA, META)

MEscope

Vibration Research software

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Houston, TX, US

About Intuitive Machines:

Intuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting-edge space company making cislunar space accessible to both public and private customers. Our mission is to further science and exploration, communications, and economic progress from the Earth to the Moon and beyond. With multiple NASA lunar missions in development and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting NASA, our customers, and the nation in paving the way to return humans to the surface of the Moon. Our world-class team includes experts in all aspects of spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on-orbit operations, and safety.

About the Position:

Intuitive Machines is seeking a talented and experienced Sr Structural Dynamics Engineer to join our dynamic team. As a Sr Structural Dynamics Engineer, you will be supporting test and analysis of spacecraft hardware under dynamic environments.

Responsibilities:

• Plan, analyze, and perform testing such as ground vibration testing of spacecraft hardware, modal testing for finite element model validation, troubleshooting vibration problems, and strain gauge testing of space structures.
• Construct finite element, superelements, and test display models suitable for dynamic analyses such as modal, vibration, and vibro-acoustic.
• Collaborate with test engineers to define test plans that include instrumentation and response limits based on analysis results from dynamic analysis including factors such as material strength, notching, and mode shapes.
• Provide on-site support of modal, vibration, and vibro-acoustic testing to ensure test targets and objectives are being achieved.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, documentation, and presentation to communicate analysis results, findings, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and customers

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• Willingness to travel to test facilities and work at test sites.
• 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.

Preferred Requirements:

• 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.

US EEO Statement:

Intuitive Machines is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.