Structural Analyst, Payloads

Anduril Industries, Inc.; Costa Mesa, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries, Inc. is seeking a Structural Analyst for the Thunder team to own the structural analysis, load path validation, and envelope compliance for mission systems and payloads.

You will act as the primary structural bridge between the mission systems group and airframe engineering, ensuring seamless integration and flight safety. Daily work includes FEM modeling, static and dynamic load evaluation, and vibration analysis to meet airworthiness standards, collaborating with hardware

Qualifications

• BS or higher in engineering or applied physics with a focus in structures required.
• Strong grounding in statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials and materials properties.
• Experience with structural testing (static, buckling, cyclic) including data acquisition and post-processing.
• Proficiency in finite element analysis software (e.g., ANSYS).

Responsibilities

• Perform static and dynamic structural analyses of composites and metallics using first principles and appropriate analysis methods.
• Develop and own FEM creation and organization at the global and subsystem level.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to drive proper designs based on analytical results.
• Document analysis methodology and results in technical reports for internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Conduct and support validation testing, including instrumentation requirements, load requirements, data collection, and model correlation.
• Participate in flight testing including setting Do Not Exceed values and dispositioning inspection findings.
• Ensure designs meet customer requirements, industry standards, and safety regulations.
• Stay current with advancements in analysis techniques, materials technology, and industry standards.

Skills

Statics and dynamics

Mechanics of materials

Materials properties

Structural analysis concepts

Education

BS or higher degree in engineering or applied physics with a focus in structures

Tools

ANSYS

Job description

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Maneuver Dominance team is building Thunder - an autonomous attack rotorcraft built to fight alongside crewed combat aviation to deliver overwhelming mass effects deep beyond the front lines. The team in London builds the Mission System and the autonomy that makes aircraft like Thunder work.

Autonomy is only as good as the link that carries it. Thunder is a compact airframe with weapons, sensors and radios competing for the same antenna real estate, flying low and in formation, in a spectrum that is actively contested. That is the problem you would own.

ABOUT THE JOB

Anduril is seeking a Structural Analyst for the Thunder team. In this role, you will own the structural analysis, load path validation, and interface integrity for critical mission systems, specialized sensors, and operational payloads. You will serve as the primary structural bridge between our internal mission systems team and our partner’s airframe engineering group, ensuring seamless physical integration and envelope compliance. Your day-to-day focus will include finite element modeling (FEM), static and dynamic load evaluation, and vibration analysis to meet rigorous flight safety and airworthiness standards. This is a high-impact opportunity to directly shape how cutting-edge autonomy and payload capabilities merge with a clean-sheet aircraft platform.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Perform static and dynamic structural analyses of composites and metallics using first principles and appropriate analysis methods (hand calculations, spreadsheets, scripts, detailed FEA
• Develop and own FEM creation and organization at the global and subsystem level
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to drive proper designs based on analytical results
• Document analysis methodology and results in technical reports for internal teams and external stakeholders
• Conduct and support validation testing, including instrumentation requirements, load requirements, data collection, and model correlation
• Participate in flight testing including setting Do No Exceed values, monitoring loads, and dispositioning inspection findings
• Ensure designs meet customer requirements, industry standards, and safety regulations
• Stay current with advancements in analysis techniques, materials technology, and industry standards

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BS or higher degree in engineering or applied physics with a focus in structures
• Deep understanding of statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, and materials properties
• Structural testing experience (static, buckling, cyclic) including sensor selection, data acquisition, and data post-processing
• Proficiency in FEA software (ANS