Structural Analyst, Payloads, Thunder

Anduril Industries, Inc.; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 147,000 - 196,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Comprehensive benefits

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Anduril Industries’ Thunder team is seeking a Structural Analyst to own structural analysis, load path validation, and envelope integrity for critical mission systems and payloads. You will bridge internal mission systems with the airframe engineering group, ensuring seamless integration and flight safety compliance.

Your day-to-day includes FEM, static and dynamic load evaluation, vibration analysis, and collaboration with hardware engineers to drive design decisions that meet customer

Qualifications

• BS or higher 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) with data handling.
• Proficiency in FEA software: ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN for linear/non‑linear analyses.
• CAD proficiency: NX or SolidWorks; programming in Matlab or Python.

Responsibilities

• Perform static and dynamic structural analyses of composites and metals using first principles and FEM.
• Develop and own FEM creation and organization at global and subsystem levels.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to drive designs based on analytical results.
• Document analysis methodologies and results in technical reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support validation testing, including instrumentation, loads, data collection, and model correlation.
• Participate in flight testing, setting Do No Exceed values and disposing inspection findings.
• Ensure designs meet customer requirements, industry standards, and safety regulations.
• Stay current with advancements in analysis techniques, materials technology, and standards.

Skills

Statics & dynamics

Mechanics of materials

Independent work

Education

BS or higher in engineering or applied physics (structures)

MS or higher in structures (preferred)

Tools

ANSYS

Abaqus

NASTRAN

NX

SolidWorks

MATLAB

Python

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 (ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN) solution sequences for linear and non-linear static and buckling analyses
• Experience with CAD tools (NX, Solidworks)
• Proficiency in Matlab or Python (or equivalent) for developing analytical models, data acquisition, and automation
• Highly motivated, self-starting, and able to perform duties autonomously without supervision
• Very organized and willing to establish scope and requirements for ill- defined problems
• Must be eligible to obtain an US security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 6+ years of experience in a structures, dynamics, or loads related role with high ownership and accountability for hardware outcomes
• Recognized as a season expert with significant influence in the structural design space
• MS or higher degree in engineering or applied physics with a focus in structures
• Experience with high cycle fatigue and/or turbomachinery
• Ability to develop workflow automation tools

US Salary Range

$147,000 — $196,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:

Benefits

At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits.