Structural Engineer - NASTRAN

Actalent; United States; Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Pension

401k plan

Bonus potential

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an experienced Principal Opto-Mechanical Structural Engineer/Analyst to lead structural and thermal analysis for spaceborne optical payloads. You will develop and validate FEA models, support hardware from concept to production, and contribute to design reviews with multidisciplinary teams.

The role requires strong Nastran experience, a background in opto-mechanical systems, and the ability to obtain DoD clearance. Hybrid work in Huntsville, AL is offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Mechanical, Aerospace, Structural Engineering or related field.
• 12+ years with a Bachelor's, 10+ with a Master’s, 7+ with a PhD.
• Experience with Nastran-based FEA tools.
• Proven experience in structural and thermal analyses of hardware.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural, thermal, and vibration analyses using FEA for spaceborne optical payloads.
• Develop, validate, and maintain detailed Nastran-based FE models.
• Support hardware development from concept through production and test.
• Generate design reviews and technical documentation for leadership and stakeholders.
• Collaborate across interdisciplinary engineering teams and with suppliers.

Skills

Nastran

Finite element analysis

Structural analysis

Thermal analysis

Vibration analysis

Opto-mechanical hardware

Spaceborne payloads

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace/Structural Engineering

Master's or PhD preferred

Tools

Femap

MS Office

Job description

Principal Opto-Mechanical Structural Engineer/Analyst

Location: Acton, MA - RELOCATION ASSISTANCE OFFERED

Compensation: PENSION OFFERED

Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance required; active Secret or SCI clearance preferred.

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Opto-Mechanical Structural Engineer/Analyst to support the design, development, analysis, and production of advanced spaceborne electro-optical sensor payloads. This role offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge space systems and optical technologies supporting critical national security, missile defense, satellite, and aerospace missions.

The successful candidate will play a key role in the structural and mechanical analysis of high-performance optical payload hardware, utilizing finite element modeling tools to ensure designs meet demanding environmental and mission requirements. This position is ideal for engineers who enjoy solving complex technical challenges, supporting hardware throughout the full product lifecycle, and collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform structural and thermal analyses using finite element modeling tools, including:
  • Quasi-static analysis
  • Modal analysis
  • Random vibration analysis
  • Thermal stress analysis
  • Shock and transient response analysis
• Develop, maintain, and validate detailed FEA models using Nastran-based analysis tools.
• Support the design, development, and qualification of spaceborne electro-optical systems and payload hardware.
• Apply sound engineering principles to ensure compliance with customer, program, and environmental requirements.
• Generate technical presentations and design review packages for internal leadership, customers, and stakeholders.
• Support customer, supplier, and subcontractor engineering interactions.
• Contribute to conceptual design efforts for new products, technologies, and proposal activities.
• Support environmental testing activities, including vibration, shock, thermal, and qualification testing.
• Perform root cause investigations on hardware anomalies and failures and develop corrective action solutions.
• Review engineering drawings, perform tolerance analyses, and evaluate hardware designs for manufacturability and performance.
• Manage multiple technical assignments while collaborating across engineering disciplines.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum experience requirements:
  • 12+ years with a Bachelor's degree
  • 10+ years with a Master's degree
  • 7+ years with a PhD
• At least 2 years of experience utilizing Nastran-based finite element analysis tools.
• Experience performing structural and thermal engineering analyses on hardware systems.
• Strong understanding of static, dynamic, vibration, and thermal analysis methodologies.
• Ability to support hardware development from concept through production and test.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skills.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and perform tolerance assessments.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and technical documentation skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DoD Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing or analyzing opto-mechanical, electro-optical, or optical sensor systems.
• Direct experience supporting aerospace, satellite, spaceflight, missile defense, or defense hardware programs.
• Finite element modeling expertise in thermal, structural, vibration, and transient shock environments.
• Experience designing hardware for launch, shock, vibration, and extreme thermal environments.
• Experience performing STOP (Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance) Analysis for precision optical systems.
• SolidWorks 3D CAD modeling experience.
• Active Secret or SCI clearance.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We're primarily looking for candidates who possess the following:

• Strong finite element analysis experience using Nastran (Femap experience highly preferred).
• Experience supporting space, satellite, electro-optical, or opto-mechanical hardware programs.
• Expertise in structural, vibration, shock, and thermal analysis.
• Ability to support hardware through design, qualification, environmental testing, and failure investigations.
• Hands-on engineering mindset with strong ownership, accountability, and technical curiosity.
• Eligibility for a DoD security clearance.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Huntsville, AL.

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 18, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Huntsville,AL.

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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment 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 thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.