Structural Analysis

Darwin Recruitment; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment seeks a Senior Structural Analysis Engineer to support development, verification and testing of advanced satellite systems and aerospace hardware. The role emphasizes FEM development for spacecraft structures, modal, static and vibration analyses, and collaboration with mechanical, systems, and launch teams to ensure flight-worthiness and mission success.

This hybrid Washington State role combines hands-on analysis with test planning and data correlation, requiring six plus

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 6+ years of professional experience performing structural analysis on spacecraft, launch vehicles, or aerospace structures.
• Experience performing static, modal, and vibration analyses to predict loads, stresses, and responses.
• Proficiency with NASTRAN structural analysis software.
• Experience using FEM pre/post-processing tools such as Femap or Patran.

Responsibilities

• Lead moderate-scale structural analysis activities while coordinating with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Develop and maintain finite element models for spacecraft components, subassemblies, integrated satellites, and related hardware.
• Perform and document structural analyses including modal, static stress, and vibration response assessments.
• Generate technical reports, presentations, and verification documentation capturing analysis and test results.
• Collaborate with design engineers to optimise spacecraft structures for performance, reliability, manufacturability, and mission requirements.
• Develop and execute structural test plans and procedures for vibration, shock, and static load testing.
• Support test activities including pre-test analysis, instrumentation planning, test execution, data reduction, and post-test model correlation.
• Develop and maintain structural analysis tools, workflows, and automation methods to improve engineering efficiency.

Skills

Structural analysis

Finite element modeling

Vibration analysis

Engineering collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

NASTRAN

Femap

Patran

MATLAB

Python

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Structural Analysis Engineer to support the development, verification, and testing of advanced satellite systems and aerospace hardware. In this role, you will perform structural analysis across a wide range of spacecraft components, subsystems, and fully integrated vehicles, helping ensure designs meet demanding launch and on-orbit performance requirements.

You will develop and maintain finite element models (FEMs) for spacecraft structures, electromechanical systems, deployed and stowed mechanisms, and Ground Support Equipment (GSE). Using these models, you will evaluate structural performance, predict launch environments, and support verification of flightworthiness from component level through complete satellite systems.

This role is highly hands-on and includes active involvement throughout the test lifecycle-from developing test plans and procedures to supporting test execution, analysing results, and correlating models with physical test data. You will collaborate closely with mechanical engineers, systems engineers, satellite operations teams, and launch providers to ensure spacecraft designs are robust, compliant, and ready for mission success.

This is a hybrid position based in Washington State.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead moderate-scale structural analysis activities while coordinating with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Develop and maintain finite element models for spacecraft components, subassemblies, integrated satellites, and related aerospace hardware.
• Perform and document structural analyses including modal, static stress, and vibration response assessments.
• Generate technical reports, presentations, and verification documentation capturing analysis and test results.
• Collaborate with design engineers to optimise spacecraft structures for performance, reliability, manufacturability, and mission requirements.
• Develop and execute structural test plans and procedures for vibration, shock, and static load testing.
• Support test activities including pre-test analysis, instrumentation planning, test execution, data reduction, and post-test model correlation.
• Develop and maintain structural analysis tools, workflows, and automation methods to improve engineering efficiency.
• Evaluate new technologies, analysis methods, and engineering approaches to advance spacecraft development capabilities.
• Address complex and evolving launch environments across multiple launch vehicle and payload configurations.
• Support additional engineering activities as required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 6+ years of professional experience performing structural analysis on spacecraft, launch vehicles, or complex aerospace structures.
• Demonstrated ability to perform structural analysis of spacecraft components, integrated satellite systems, launch vehicle interfaces, and complex assemblies.
• Experience performing static, modal, and vibration analyses to predict loads, stresses, deflections, and dynamic responses.
• Proficiency with NASTRAN structural analysis software.
• Experience using Femap, Patran, or similar finite element pre/post-processing tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting vibration test campaigns, including instrumentation selection and installation, test article setup, Ground Support Equipment (GSE), and test execution.
• Experience developing analysis automation and data processing tools using Excel, MATLAB, and/or Python.
• Experience with spacecraft verification processes and launch environment qualification.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary aerospace engineering teams.