Staff Structural Analyst

astra; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 187,000 - 230,350; Full time

Job summary

A prominent aerospace company in California seeks a Senior Staff Structural Analyst to lead engineering analyses for rocket and spacecraft propulsion. This hands-on role requires a master's or Ph.D. degree and at least 10 years of experience in the aerospace industry. Responsibilities include technical leadership, mentorship, and ensuring analysis quality. The estimated pay range for this position is between $187,000 and $230,350, reflecting base salary prior to bonuses and benefits. Applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of matching all listed expectations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in engineering analysis in aerospace or defense.
• Deep expertise in FEA, CFD, and thermal analysis.
• Ability to analyze advanced materials.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical analyses for rocket and spacecraft propulsion.
• Define best practices for engineering analysis.
• Provide oversight on critical analysis reports.

Skills

Expert proficiency in FEA

Expert proficiency in CFD

Proficiency in Python

Proficiency in MATLAB

Coding in C++

Education

Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Aeronautical, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering

Tools

NASTRAN/Patran

Abaqus

ANSYS

STAR-CCM+

OpenFOAM

Job description

Astra’s mission is to improve life on Earth from space by creating a healthier and more connected planet. Today, Astra offers one of the lowest cost-per-launch dedicated orbital launch services, and one of the industry’s leading flight‑proven electric propulsion systems for satellites, the Astra Spacecraft Engine.

How You’ll Fulfill Your Mission

The Sr Staff Structural Analyst is a senior, technical leader responsible for the comprehensive execution, quality, and technical integrity of all complex engineering analyses across the company's rocket and spacecraft propulsion programs. This role will set the technical standard for analysis methodologies, lead the most challenging technical investigations, and serve as the company's principal expert in relevant analytical domains (e.g., structural, thermal, fluid dynamics, propulsion performance). This is a hands‑on role focusing on technical excellence, mentorship, and critical design review leadership.

• Technical Leadership & Execution: Act as the principal subject matter expert and technical authority for all high‑fidelity engineering analyses (FEA, CFD, thermal, kinematic, multi‑physics). Personally lead and execute the most critical and complex analyses to drive primary design decisions for launch vehicle and spacecraft propulsion systems.
• Methodology & Standards: Define, standardize, and institutionalize best practices, tools, and methodologies for engineering analysis across all programs. Ensure analyses are grounded in first principles physics and are appropriately validated against test data.
• Technical Oversight & Review: Provide technical oversight and final sign‑off on critical analysis reports and technical memorandums. Lead internal design review boards (PDR, CDR) specifically focused on analysis fidelity and margin assessment.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Design, Manufacturing, Test, and Safety teams to ensure analysis models accurately reflect real‑world boundary conditions, material properties, and manufacturing tolerances.
• Mentorship & Development: Act as a technical mentor and guide for analysis engineers. Develop training materials and conduct internal seminars to raise the overall technical competency of the analysis team.
• Risk & Uncertainty Quantification: Establish and drive the use of advanced methods for quantifying uncertainty and margin in analytical models, feeding into system‑level reliability assessments.

Why We Value You

• Education: Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Aeronautical, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressive, hands‑on experience in engineering analysis within the aerospace, defense, or high‑performance industry, with a significant focus on launch vehicles, spacecraft, or turbomachinery.
• Domain Expertise: Deep, demonstrated expertise in two or more of the following: FEA for structural dynamics and non‑linear material behavior; CFD for reacting flows, propulsion, or high‑speed aerodynamics; Thermal Analysis and heat transfer in extreme environments.
• Software Proficiency: Expert proficiency in industry‑standard analysis software packages (e.g., NASTRAN/Patran, Abaqus, ANSYS, STAR‑CCM+, OpenFOAM).
• Coding Skills: Proven ability to develop custom analysis scripts and tools using languages such as Python, MATLAB, or C++.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with standard aerospace analysis requirements, standards, and safety factors (e.g., NASA, DoD, or FAA/AST guidelines).

Desired Multipliers

• Advanced Materials: Experience analyzing systems utilizing advanced materials such as composites, additive manufacturing parts, and superalloys in cryogenic or high‑temperature environments.
• Test‑Correlation Experience: Proven track record of planning, executing, and critically correlating analysis models with ground and flight test data.
• IC Leadership: Prior experience functioning as a recognized Senior Engineer, in an Individual Contributor capacity.
• Geometric Modeling: Working knowledge of modern CAD systems (e.g., NX, SolidWorks, CATIA) and best practices for analysis model generation.

The pay range for this role is: $187,000 - $230,350

The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base salary range in the San Francisco Bay Area and excludes additional earnings such as bonus and benefits. If your salary requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply.

You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Astra, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.

San Francisco Applicants

Astra will consider applicants with arrest and conviction records (criminal histories) in a manner consistent with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

ITAR Requirements

This position requires compliance with U.S. Government space technology trade restrictions, specifically the International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and additional regulations governing satellite, launch vehicle, missile, and other related technologies. All jobs restricted by these regulations will be contingent upon the applicant’s status as a documented U.S. Person or their ability to receive a trade license from the cognizant government agency; in addition to any required company background checks and in compliance with applicable U.S. and California laws. Similarly, positions requiring the ability to work on government contracts or a security clearance are also contingent upon the applicant’s ability to receive the appropriate clearance and be allowed to work on U.S. government contracts.