Structural Analyst

Viasat; Rhode Island; On-site; USD 121,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Viasat seeks an experienced structural engineer to perform detailed analyses of spacecraft structures, payload components, and electronic packaging using finite element methods. You will collaborate with mechanical, systems, materials, and thermal engineers to ensure reliability and mission success.

The role emphasizes rigorous documentation, compliance with NASA and military standards, and clear communication of results to program teams and customers.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 4+ years of relevant experience in structural analysis of spaceflight hardware.
• Proficiency with Nastran (MSC or Simcenter): static, normal modes, buckling, frequency response.
• Proficiency with Simcenter Femap modeling and post-processing.
• Working knowledge of aerospace engineering materials, processes, and parts.
• Experience applying NASA, AIAA, ECSS, and MIL standards to structural design, testing, and qualification.
• Ability to generate high-quality analysis documentation.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed structural analysis of spacecraft primary/secondary structures and payload components using FEM and hand calculations.
• Develop conceptual structural models to support proposals and trade studies.
• Produce stress reports and slide packages to support design reviews.
• Evaluate structural impacts of design changes, materials, manufacturing processes and interfaces.
• Support structural testing activities including test plan development and verification of requirements.
• Communicate analysis results clearly to program teams and external customers.

Skills

Structural analysis

FEM knowledge

Cross-functional teamwork

Standards knowledge

NASA/AIAA standards

Security clearance

Education

B.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

M.S. preferred

Tools

Nastran (MSC or Simcenter)

Simcenter Femap

LS-DYNA

ANSYS

Abaqus

Python

MATLAB

Job description

About Us

One team. Global challenges. Infinite opportunities. At Viasat, we’re on a mission to deliver connections with the capacity to change the world. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the globe communicate. We’re looking for people who think big, act fearlessly, and create an inclusive environment that drives positive impact to join our team.

About Us

One team. Global challenges. Infinite opportunities. At Viasat, we’re on a mission to deliver connections with the capacity to change the world. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the globe communicate. We’re looking for people who think big, act fearlessly, and create an inclusive environment that drives positive impact to join our team.

What You’ll Do

• Perform detailed structural analysis of spacecraft primary and secondary structures, payload components, mechanisms, ground support equipment, and electronic packaging using finite element analysis and hand calculations
• Develop conceptual structural models to support proposals and trade studies
• Produce stress reports and slide packages to support design reviews
• Evaluate structural impacts of design changes, materials, manufacturing processes, and interfaces
• Support structural testing activities, including test plan development, fixture design, correlation of FEMs, and verification of requirements
• Collaborate with mechanical design engineers, systems engineers, materials engineers, and thermal analysts to optimize hardware performance
• Ensure compliance with applicable aerospace standards, including NASA, AIAA, and military standards
• Communicate analysis results clearly to program teams, leadership, and external customers

The day-to-day

In this role, you will perform structural analysis of spacecraft structures, payload components, mechanisms, electronic packaging, and composites using aerospace industry best practices. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure our space products meet all mission, environmental, and reliability requirements.

This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys solving complex structural problems and brings experience in FEA for aerospace hardware.

What You’ll Need

• Required Qualifications
  • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
  • 4+ years of relevant experience in structural analysis of spaceflight hardware
  • Proficiency with Nastran (MSC or Simcenter): static, normal modes, buckling, frequency response
  • Proficiency with Simcenter Femap modeling and post-processing
  • Working knowledge of standard aerospace engineering materials, processes, and parts (metallics, polymers, composites, fasteners)
  • Working knowledge of aerospace structural analysis and test methodologies, including:
    • Static analysis and test
    • Normal modes and linear dynamics
    • Random vibration and shock response analysis and test
    • Fatigue and fracture-mechanics
    • Composite materials and classical laminate theory
    • Mechanism analysis
    • Thermoelastic analysis
    • Launch vehicle environments
    • Semi-empirical methods (Bruhn, ECSS)
    • Bonded and bolted joint analysis
  • Working knowledge of electronic packaging structural analysis, including:
    • Printed wiring assembly (PWA) structural analysis
    • Solder joint fatigue, including Steinberg random vibration fatigue methods
    • Connector and interconnect reliability
    • Thermal-mechanical coupled analysis of electronic assemblies
  • Demonstrated experience applying NASA, AIAA, ECSS, and MIL standards to structural design, testing, and qualification
  • Ability to generate high-quality analysis documentation
  • Strong knowledge of mechanical design principles
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally in a multidisciplinary team
  • U.S. citizen, with ability to obtain a Secret-level security clearance

What Will Help You On The Job

• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• Experience with LS-DYNA, ANSYS, or Abaqus
• Nonlinear and thermal-structural coupled analyses
• Vibroacoustic analysis
• Coding experience using Python, MATLAB

Salary range

$120,500.00 - $190,000.00 / annually. For specific work locations within San Jose, the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, the base pay range for this role is $149,500.00- $224,500.00/ annually

At Viasat, we consider many factors when it comes to compensation, including the scope of the position as well as your background and experience. Base pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Additional cash or stock incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Learn more about Viasat’s comprehensive benefit offerings that are focused on your holistic health and wellness at https://careers.viasat.com/benefits.

EEO Statement

Viasat is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, genetics, age, or veteran status or any other applicable legally protected status or characteristic. If you would like to request an accommodation on the basis of disability for completing this on-line application, please click here.