Structural Analyst

astspacemobile; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

AST SpaceMobile seeks an experienced Structural Analyst to analyze spacecraft structures and establish performance under static and quasi-static loads. You will build finite element models, define failure cases, and calculate safety margins while collaborating with design, testing, and material review boards.

Required seven+ years of hands-on aerospace analysis, strong FEMAP/NASTRAN skills, and fluency in English. Travel may be domestic and international due to project needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related technical field.
• At least seven years of hands-on spacecraft mechanical or structural analysis experience.
• Strong FEMAP and NASTRAN skills with understanding of solution sequences and cards.
• Experience with composite spacecraft structures and identifying loads for coupled-loads analysis.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate across disciplines.
• Excellent written and spoken English; advanced Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Analyze spacecraft structures and calculate margins of safety for identified failure cases.
• Build and assess finite element models for composite and metallic structures using FEMAP and NASTRAN.
• Review loads using free-body diagrams and top-level analyses.
• Identify critical loads for coupled-loads analysis and map loads to static qualification tests.
• Support architecture evaluations and lead design trade studies.
• Disposition non-conformances and participate in material and failure review boards.

Skills

FEMAP

NASTRAN

Finite element analysis

Cross-discipline collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Master’s degree (nice to have)

Tools

FEMAP

NASTRAN

Job description

Role overview

Analyze spacecraft structures to establish how they perform under static and quasi-static loads. You will build finite element models, define failure cases, calculate safety margins, and work with other engineering disciplines on design trades, qualification testing, and material or failure reviews.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural analyses of spacecraft and calculate margins of safety for identified failure cases.
• Build and assess finite element models for composite and metallic structures using FEMAP and NASTRAN.
• Use free-body diagrams and top-level analysis to check and explain computer-derived loads.
• Identify critical loads for coupled-loads analysis and translate load conditions into static qualification tests.
• Support architecture evaluations and lead design trade studies.
• Disposition non-conformances and participate in material and failure review boards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related technical field.
• At least seven years of hands-on spacecraft mechanical or structural analysis experience.
• Strong FEMAP and NASTRAN skills, including finite element modeling practices and NASTRAN solution sequences, case control, and bulk data cards.
• Experience with composite spacecraft structures and identifying loads for coupled-loads analysis.
• Ability to work independently on complex problems and collaborate with engineers across disciplines.
• Strong written and spoken English; advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

Nice to have

• Master’s degree for senior-level consideration.
• Familiarity with dynamic loads, modal analysis, material property databases, and defining material allowables.
• Ability to automate routine work using code or tool APIs; experience with MATLAB or CAD tools.

Benefits and work setup

• The role is primarily office-based and involves extended computer use, with domestic and international travel required.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens because the work includes access to export-controlled technical data.