Sr Structural Engineer

Varstaff; Englewood (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Varstaff in Englewood, Colorado, is seeking a senior structural engineer to design, evaluate, and certify metallic and composite aerospace structures across the full product lifecycle.

You will perform complex static and dynamic analyses, support mission payloads and space platforms, translate engineering principles into certified designs, run simulations, and uphold structural integrity under demanding loads.

Qualifications

• BS degree in a relevant engineering field.
• 10+ years of structural engineering experience in aerospace/defense.
• Experience designing, evaluating, and certifying metallic and composite structures.
• Proven track record in multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, evaluate, and certify aerospace structures across the product lifecycle.
• Perform static and dynamic analyses and run simulations to validate designs.
• Translate engineering principles into certified aerospace designs and substantiation reports.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure structural integrity under demanding loads.

Skills

Structural Analysis

CAE tools

Engineering fundamentals

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

MSC Nastran/Patran

FEMAP

ANSYS

NASGRO/AFGROW

Job description

About the Job:

In this role, you will design, evaluate, and certify cutting-edge metallic and composite structures across the entire product lifecycle. Supporting advanced mission payloads, integrated aircraft, and space exploration platforms, you will perform complex static and dynamic structural analyses. Working in a multidisciplinary environment, you will translate engineering principles into certified aerospace designs, conduct simulation modeling, and ensure structural integrity against demanding operational loads.

What We’re Looking For Education & Experience

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant structural engineering experience in the aerospace and defense sector.
• Extensive experience performing structural design, evaluation, and certification for metallic and composite systems.
• Proven track record working within multidisciplinary design and development teams.

Must-Have Skills

• Structural Analysis: Advanced knowledge and application of static and dynamic structural analyses for aerospace hardware.
• Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE): High proficiency with engineering simulation tools and CAD environments.
• Core Engineering Principles: Thorough understanding of structural mechanics, material properties, load paths, and engineering practices across the product lifecycle.

Nice-to-Have Skills (Preferred)

• FEA/Simulation tools proficiency (e.g., MSC Nastran/Patran, FEMAP, or ANSYS).
• Fatigue and damage tolerance analysis experience using tools like NASGRO or AFGROW.
• Ability to perform classical structural hand calculations for fast trade studies and validation.
• Knowledge of Model-Based Definition (MBD), parametric design, material selection, and aerospace manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated capability to author formal structural substantiation and stress reports.