Structural Engineering Lead (Finite Element Analysis)

Rocketdyne; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocketdyne seeks a Lead Structures Engineer to provide strategic technical leadership in structural analysis and development across aerospace programs. This role guides strength, fatigue, fracture mechanics, and structural dynamics to ensure designs meet performance, safety, and qualification requirements across programs.

The ideal candidate will have deep aerospace analysis experience, a track record of leading complex work from concept through validation, and the ability to mentor others while

Qualifications

• M.S. degree plus 7 years related aerospace experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of strength, fatigue, and fracture mechanics analyses.
• Experience in structural dynamics (modal, random vibration, shock) and system-level modeling.

Responsibilities

• Lead structural analysis activities across development programs, including strength, fatigue, and fracture mechanics assessments.
• Provide technical oversight and peer reviews for structural/dynamic analyses to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Establish analysis plans, manage schedules, and own analysis scope to support program milestones.
• Mentor and develop other engineers, promote rigorous engineering practices and continuous improvement.

Skills

Team leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Education

M.S. degree

Tools

ANSYS Workbench

ANSYS APDL

NASGRO

MATLAB

Python

Aero-Thermal-Fluids cross-training

Job description

We are seeking a Lead Structures Engineer to provide technical leadership in structural analysis and development across aerospace programs. This role leads strength, fatigue, fracture mechanics, and structural dynamics efforts to ensure designs meet performance, safety, and qualification requirements.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in aerospace structural analysis and has a strong track record of leading complex technical work from concept through validation. This individual will guide analysis execution, support design decisions, and ensure high-quality technical deliverables for internal and external stakeholders.

This position requires a hands-on technical leader who can balance detailed analytical work with team leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and program execution. The successful candidate will be proactive, organized, and highly effective at mentoring others while driving analysis efforts to completion.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping structural integrity, technical excellence, and engineering capability within a growing aerospace organization.

Essential Functions

Technical Leadership

• Lead structural analysis activities across development programs, including strength, fatigue, and fracture mechanics assessments.
• Provide technical oversight and peer review for structural and dynamic analyses to ensure accuracy, quality, and compliance with program requirements.
• Support the development of structural solutions that satisfy performance, reliability, and certification or customer expectations.
• Serve as a key technical resource to Engineering, Program Management, Test, Manufacturing, and Quality teams.

Structural and Dynamic Analysis

• Perform and guide advanced analyses involving static strength, fatigue life, fracture mechanics, and durability.
• Lead structural dynamics work including modal, random vibration, and shock analysis.
• Develop system-level models and derive structural loads and component environments.
• Interpret analysis results and provide clear recommendations to support design maturity and risk reduction.

Program Execution

• Establish and manage analysis plans, priorities, and schedules to support program milestones.
• Take ownership of analysis scope and execution, ensuring work is completed efficiently and on time.
• Identify technical risks, constraints, and resource needs early, and work with stakeholders to resolve issues.
• Support design reviews, test planning, failure investigations, and qualification efforts as needed.

Communication and Collaboration

• Collaborate effectively with internal teams and external customers to communicate structural requirements, assumptions, results, and recommendations.
• Prepare and present clear, well-supported technical documentation, reports, and briefing materials for internal and customer meetings.
• Contribute to technical discussions with credibility and confidence, supporting program decisions with sound engineering analysis.

Team Development

• Mentor and support the development of other engineers through coaching, technical guidance, and peer review.
• Promote strong engineering practices, analytical rigor, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Help build team capability by sharing knowledge, improving methods, and supporting less experienced team members.

Education & Experience Requirements:

M.S. + 7 years related experience

Job Requirements

• Comprehensive knowledge of advanced methods for strength, fatigue, and fracture mechanics analysis
• Skilled with structural dynamic analysis (modal, random vibration, shock), system level modeling, derivation of loads as well as component environments
• Strong ability to perform, lead, and oversee / peer review structural and dynamic analysis
• Proactive in establishing and managing analysis schedules; ability to take ownership to ensure plans are efficiently executed to completion
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with internal and external customers
• Highly experienced in preparing and presenting comprehensive and well-supported technical analyses, documentation, and materials for both internal and external customer meetings
• Strong ability to take the initiative in mentoring and aid in the development of other team members

Preferred Skills

• ANSYS Workbench
• ANSYS APDL
• NASGRO
• Matlab
• Python
• Willingness to cross-train in Aero-Thermal-Fluids analysis
• Excellent communication and technical writing ability