Structural Engineer

Actalent; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance available

Pension plan offered

Excellent benefits

Job summary

Actalent in El Segundo, CA, is seeking an Opto-Mechanical Structural Engineer/Analyst to join a team developing space-based electro-optical systems. You will perform FEA with Nastran, assess structural and thermal loads, and support design, analysis, and environmental testing for spaceborne payloads.

Ideal candidates have 12+ years for Bachelor, 10+ years for Master, or 7+ years with a PhD, with proven ability to read drawings, conduct tolerance analyses, and communicate findings to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Experience with Nastran-based FEA software.
• Ability to perform structural, thermal, static, and dynamic analyses.
• Read engineering drawings and perform tolerance analyses.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural and thermal analyses using Femap and Nastran software.
• Conduct static, modal, random vibration, thermal stress, shock, and dynamic analyses.
• Support the design, development, and production of advanced spaceborne electro‑optical sensor payloads.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure designs meet performance requirements.
• Create and present technical design review packages to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support environmental testing activities including vibration, shock, and thermal testing.
• Perform root cause investigations on hardware failures and develop corrective solutions.
• Contribute to new product concepts and proposal efforts.
• Manage multiple assignments while tracking project schedules and deliverables.

Skills

Nastran-based FEA

Structural analysis

Thermal analysis

Reading drawings

Tolerance analysis

Communication skills

DoD clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Master's in Mechanical Engineering

PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Nastran

SolidWorks

Job description

Opto-Mechanical Structural Engineer/Analyst

Relocation Assistance Available

Excellent Benefits Including Pension Plan

Ability to Obtain a DoD Security Clearance Required

Join a leading engineering organization developing advanced space-based electro-optical systems that support critical defense and space missions. This is an exciting opportunity to work on cutting‑edge optical payloads and high‑performance hardware for next‑generation space applications.

What You'll Do

• Perform structural and thermal analyses using Femap and Nastran software.
• Conduct static, modal, random vibration, thermal stress, shock, and dynamic analyses.
• Support the design, development, and production of advanced spaceborne electro‑optical sensor payloads.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure designs meet performance requirements.
• Create and present technical design review packages to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support environmental testing activities including vibration, shock, and thermal testing.
• Perform root cause investigations on hardware failures and develop corrective solutions.
• Contribute to new product concepts and proposal efforts.
• Manage multiple assignments while tracking project schedules and deliverables.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 7+ years of experience with a PhD, 10+ years with a Master's, or 12+ years with a Bachelor's degree.
• Experience with Nastran-based finite element analysis (FEA) software.
• Ability to perform structural, thermal, static, and dynamic analyses.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with excellent troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and perform tolerance analyses.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with opto‑mechanical or electro‑optical hardware design.
• Advanced finite element modeling experience including thermal, structural, and transient shock analyses.
• Experience designing for harsh shock, vibration, and thermal environments.
• Experience performing STOP (Structural, Thermal, Optical Performance) analysis.
• SolidWorks 3D CAD experience.
• Active Secret and/or SCI clearance.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Work on advanced space and defense technologies

Relocation assistance available

Competitive Compensation And Benefits Package

• Pension plan offered
• Collaborative engineering environment with strong technical mentorship
• Opportunity to support highly visible national defense and space programs

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of El Segundo, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $180000.00 - $220000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

• Medical, Vision, Dental, 401k, Bonus Potential, Pension

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in El Segundo,CA.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.