Structural Dynamics Engineer

Impulse Space; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Long-term incentives in stock options

Medical, vision & dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

A cutting-edge aerospace company seeks a Structural Dynamics Engineer to validate loads and environments for spacecraft. The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering and a minimum of 4 years' experience in structural dynamic analysis of high-performance systems. Responsibilities include determining critical loads, developing finite element models, and communicating with engineering teams. Offered compensation ranges from $120,000 to $180,000 per year, alongside benefits like stock options and health coverage.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4+ years of experience with structural dynamic analysis of high‑performance systems.
• Ability to communicate technical challenges effectively.

Responsibilities

• Determine critical loads during launch and operation.
• Generate forcing functions for dynamic excitation.
• Communicate results to Engineers and Designers.

Skills

Structural dynamic analysis

FEA package proficiency

Vibration analysis

Matlab

Python

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

Femap

ANSYS

Abaqus

Job description

Compensation: $120,000 - $180,000 / year

Department: Vehicle Engineering

Location: Redondo Beach

Description

As a Structural Dynamics Engineer at Impulse, your core responsibility will be to determine and validate loads and environments for full vehicles and component subsystems. You will work closely with a fast‑paced, agile team that strives to make a high‑performance spacecraft from a clean sheet design.

Responsibilities

• Determine critical loads during launch, deployment, on‑orbit operation, and ground handling
• Generate and apply forcing functions for engine‑borne dynamic excitation
• Determine appropriate environments from vibration, acoustic, and shock sources
• Develop and improve finite element models of primary structures and mechanisms
• Develop and integrate Craig‑Bampton reduced models for launch vehicle integration
• Generate rigid‑body deployment simulations and validate with deployment testing
• Analyze and direct dynamic testing from pre‑test analysis to post‑test correlation
• Effectively communicate results to Responsible Engineers and Designers and collaborate on improvements and solutions

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering
• 4+ years of demonstrated experience with structural dynamic analysis of high‑performance systems
• Proficient with at least one industry standard structural FEA package (Femap/Patran/NASTRAN, ANSYS, Abaqus, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience solving structural dynamic or vibration‑driven problems
• Demonstrated experience with time and frequency domain analysis
• Demonstrated proficiency with Matlab, Python or similar applications
• Demonstrated proficiency with CAD software and the ability to learn new tools
• Ability to communicate technical challenges, explain rationale and/or resolve concerns

Preferred Skills and Experience

• A graduate degree (MS/PhD) in engineering or related field working with numerical methods
• 6+ years hands‑on experience with dynamic structural testing, including: random vibration, acoustics, sine vibration, sine burst, shock, and modal survey
• Hands‑on experience with sensor selection, test parameter selection, and data analysis
• Working knowledge of launch vehicle loads
• Demonstrated experience with acoustic vibration analysis software such as VA One
• Demonstrated experience working on a launch vehicle or satellite development effort
• Previous experience in a startup or agile development environment

Additional Information

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full‑time hires, you may also be eligible for long‑term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.