Structure/Survivability Engineer

Hanwha Defense USA, Inc.; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Hanwha Defense USA is seeking a Structure/Survivability Engineer to design, analyze, and test armored hulls and survivability features for Army vehicle programs. You will work with cross‑functional teams to meet survivability requirements and program objectives, applying ballistic protection, blast mitigation, and underbody defense concepts.

The role emphasizes modeling, simulation, and finite element analysis, with responsibility for planning tests, interpreting results, and producing

Qualifications

• Significant experience in structural or survivability engineering for armored platforms.
• Proficient in structural analysis tools and survivability methodologies.
• Familiarity with Army survivability standards and test methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead armored hull design and survivability activities.
• Develop designs and armor configurations using modeling and FEM.
• Apply STANAG 4569, AEP-55, MIL-STDs and relatedArmy guidelines.
• Plan and execute ballistic, blast, and structural tests.
• Prepare technical reports and compliance documentation.

Skills

Structural analysis

Finite element modeling

Survivability assessment

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelors in Mechanical/Structural/Aerospace or related field

Tools

ANSYS

LS-DYNA

Abaqus

Job description

Position Summary

Hanwha Defense USA is seeking a highly qualified Structure/Survivability Engineer to support the design, analysis, and testing of structural and survivability features for an Army ground vehicle program. This individual contributor role spans all major survivability domains including ballistic protection, blast mitigation, underbody defense, structural response, and crew protection. The engineer will work closely with cross‑functional teams to ensure compliance with U.S. Army requirements, survivability standards, and program objectives for armored structure and vehicle protection systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead structural and survivability engineering activities focused on armored hull design, structural integrity, ballistic protection systems, and blast/underbody survivability.
• Develop and refine structural designs, armor configurations, and survivability solutions using advanced modeling, simulation, and finite element analysis.
• Apply relevant standards including STANAG 4569, AEP‑55, MIL‑STD‑810, MIL‑STD‑662, and related survivability and structural performance guidelines.
• Conduct requirements analysis and translate survivability metrics into engineering design criteria and testable performance attributes.
• Plan, support, and execute survivability testing including ballistic evaluations, blast testing, structural assessments, and associated instrumentation and data collection.
• Collaborate with external test centers, including Army facilities, for full‑scale and subsystem-level survivability tests.
• Perform structural analysis to evaluate and optimize hull geometry, armor material performance, load paths, strain responses, and energy absorption behavior.
• Support root‑cause investigations and corrective actions for any survivability or structural deficiencies.
• Prepare technical reports, analysis packages, test documentation, and compliance evidence required for Army verification and program reviews.
• Work closely with systems engineering, mechanical design, materials engineering, human factors, safety, and integration teams to ensure survivability features are fully aligned with vehicle requirements and constraints.
• Maintain awareness of emerging materials, armor technologies, and survivability methodologies within industry and defense communities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Materials Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• Significant experience in structural or survivability engineering for armored vehicles, military platforms, or protective systems.
• Strong proficiency in structural analysis tools, finite element modeling, and survivability assessment methodologies.
• Familiarity with survivability standards including STANAG 4569, AEP‑55, MIL‑STD‑810, and related Army guidelines.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, armor specifications, structural data, and experimental test results.
• Experience planning or executing ballistic, blast, underbody, or structural testing activities.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills with cross‑functional engineering teams.
• U.S. citizenship required; active security clearance required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with combat vehicles, tactical vehicle structures, or armored system integration.
• Background in materials science related to armor systems (metals, composites, ceramics, hybrid solutions).
• Familiarity with survivability modeling environments, shock physics tools, or high‑strain-rate material test methods.
• Understanding of Army acquisition processes, technical readiness evaluations, and survivability certification practices.

Hanwha Defense USA is committed to pay transparency and equitable compensation practices. The salary range listed for this position represents a good faith estimate of the base pay we reasonably expect to offer for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant skills/experience, education and certifications, market conditions, geographic location and internal pay equity. In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for discretionary annual bonuses, benefits, and other forms of compensation as part of Hanwha Defense USA's total rewards package.

Hanwha Defense USA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.