Structural Stress Engineer IV- FEA (Nastran/Patran)

Panasonic Corporation of North America; Lake Forest (CA); On-site; USD 119,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible-hybrid work opportunities

Unlimited PTO

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Panasonic Avionics Corporation is seeking an experienced engineer to support certification and installation of In-Flight Entertainment systems. You will manage certification-related issues, prepare technical documentation, and coordinate testing across multiple departments.

Responsibilities include FEM analysis, stress/interface loads reporting, and ensuring compliance with FAA/EASA and OEM requirements. Occasional travel up to 15% is expected as part of cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, System Engineering, Civil, Physics, Materials Science or equivalent degree.
• Masters preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in certification process.
• 9 years in In-Flight Entertainment related field.

Responsibilities

• Create a Finite Element Model in PATRAN/NASTRAN for aerospace components and run standard analyses.
• Prepare Stress/Interface Loads/StaticVibration reports and validate FEM results.
• Coordinate with Electrical, Mechanical, and Manufacturing teams to ensure FAA/EASA/ OEM compliance.
• Support certification and installation of IFE systems by managing issues and documenting test results.

Skills

FEM modeling

Structural analysis

Technical communication

Certification experience

Boeing/Airbus/Bombardier certs

Education

BS in Mechanical/Aerospace/EE/Industrial or related

Masters preferred

Tools

PATRAN

NASTRAN

Job description

Overview

Who We Are:

Ever wonder who brings the entertainment to your flights? Panasonic Avionics Corporation is #1 in the industry for delivering inflight products such as movies, games, Wi‑Fi, and now Bluetooth headphone connectivity!

How exciting would it be to be a part of the innovation that goes into creating technology that delights millions of people in an industry that’s here to stay! With our company’s history spanning over 40 years, you will have stability, career growth opportunities, and will work with the brightest minds in the industry.

If you want to learn more about us, visit us at www.panasonic.aero. And for a full listing of open job opportunities go to https://careers.na.panasonic.com/avionics/jobs

The position:

Support certification and installation of In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) systems by managing certification related issues with various other departments, preparing/providing technical documentation and coordinating/conducting various types of testing.

Responsibilities

What We're looking for:

Technical

• Create a Finite Element Model in PATRAN/MSc NASTRAN of a large monument, shroud, avionics rack, bracket/fitting, etc.,run Nastran Solution 101 and 103, and interpreted the results.
• Analyze unit/part to ensure that it will be able to pass the static analysis/test without excessive weight and cost
  Communicate feedback to designers (if necessary)
• Prepare Stress Analysis Report, Interface Loads Report, Static Test Plan/Report or Vibration analysis report.
  Perform hands analysis for FEM validation.
  Knowledge of Boeing D6-55441 and D6-36440, and Airbus ABD, 9200, 9230 specifications is a plus.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written with internal and external customer and provide professional convincing arguments for the stress analysis report.
  Strong analytical skills
• Recent experience (within last 3 years) with certification for Boeing, Airbus, or Bombardier.
• Work with various engineering groups – Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering and to help evaluate design for compliant with FAA, EASA, and OEM flammability, smoke and toxicity requirement, structural substantiation, and qualification plan.
• Ensure all related documentation [drawings, test plans, Document Change Requests (DCRs), Document Change Notice (DCNs), Engineering Change Order (ECOs), and Notice of Change (NOCs)] are technically accurate and consistent before release.

Testing

• Facilitate and/or perform pre-qualification (engineering tests) to identify failures during product development and provide technical solutions to problems.
• Responsible for the successful qualification tests in a timely manner.
• Ensure technical correctness, accuracy, documentation and release qualification reports as well as substantiation document.

Project Management

• Coordinate the selection and ordering of parts, and test facility relations with Procurement, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Material Planning departments.
• Update Design and Development schedules and assigned tasks working with Project Managers, Team Leaders, and Engineering Managers.
• Ability to multi-task on between developing projects and sustaining projects

KNOWLEDGE / SKLLS REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to study and understand detailed mechanical drawings and exploded views.
• Ability to understand DO-160 and FAR 25, specifically for compliance to 14 CFR 25.1309, 25.1353, 25.853, 25.855 & 25.859.
• Ability to analyze problems using conventional (analysis) and computerized techniques.
• Ability to develop and implementing test methods and procedures.
• Ability in integrating information from more than one discipline (ME, EE, EMI, Product Planning & Manufacturing Engineering) to achieve results or successfully complete difficult and challenging assignments within a specialized field.
• Work on problems of diverse to complex scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of variable factors.
• Demonstrate good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, System
  Engineering, Civil engineer, Physics, Materials Science or equivalent degree.
• Masters preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in certification process
• 9 years in In-Flight Entertainment related field.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to travel up to 15% of the time to both domestic and international locations.

The salary range of $119,000 to $200,000is just one component of Panasonic’s total package. The final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to individual’s knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this role may be eligible for discretionary bonuses and incentives. The minimum hourly wage for this role will be the greater of the posted range, or minimum.

Our Principles:

Contribution to Society | Fairness & Honesty | Cooperation & Team Spirit | Untiring Effort for Improvement | Courtesy & Humility | Adaptability | Gratitude

What we offer:

At Panasonic Avionics Corporation we realize the most important aspects in leading our industry are the bright minds behind everything we do. We are proud to offer our employees a highly competitive, comprehensive and flexible benefits program.

• We offer flexible-hybrid work opportunities.
• Paid time off: Exempt Salaried employees receive unlimited PTO. This means that there is no fixed number, range, or limit to the amount of Personal and Vacation Days that may be taken for exempt employees. Non-exempt hourly employees accrue 14 vacation days per year + 7 sick days + 3 personal days. Accrual rate increases with tenure. All employees receive 11 company paid holidays per year plus a paid company-wide shut down in the U.S. between Christmas and New Year.
• Insurance: Medical insurance offerings from Aetna and Kaiser (CA &HI). Options for Employee Only, Employee + Spouse/Domestic Partner, Employee + Children, or Family. Dental PPO and DMO options & Vision insurance through EyeMed or VSP.
• 401K with 50% match on up to 8% contribution, full vested from day 1
• Other offerings include: Wellness Program, Counseling services, FSA & HSA, Life Insurance for employee, spouse and child, AD&D Insurance, Long-term and Short-term disability, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance, Legal Assistance, Pet Insurance, Identity Theft Protection, Dependent Care FLSA, Education Assistance, Commuter Program, Employee Purchase Program, Service Award Program.

Panasonic is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by law or company policy. All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. Pre-employment drug testing is required for safety sensitive positions or as may otherwise be required by contract or law. Due to the high volume of responses, we will only be able to respond to candidates of interest. All candidates must have valid authorization to work in the U.S. Thank you for your interest in Panasonic Avionics Corporation.