Structures Engineer, Senior

Socket.dev; Dover Base (DE); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev seeks a Senior Structures Engineer to provide advanced engineering support for aircraft structural systems, ensuring airworthiness and integrity across development, procurement, sustainment, and modification programs.

The role requires DoD clearance eligibility, ABET‑accredited engineering education, and proven expertise in MIL‑HDBK‑516C airworthiness criteria, with leadership responsibilities and collaboration across project teams.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in engineering analysis tools and software.
• In-depth understanding of airworthiness and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Apply advanced structures engineering expertise to oversee junior staff.
• Ensure compliance with DoD, AF standards and MIL-HDBK-516C airworthiness criteria.
• Support system integrity programs and airworthiness certification processes.
• Translate user requirements into weapon system requirements for design and testing.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Engineering analysis tools

Airworthiness knowledge

Education

ABET-accredited engineering program

Engineering degree

Job description

Description

Senior Structures Engineer - Engineering Support Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Structures Engineer to provide advanced engineering support for the development, procurement, sustainment, and modification of aircraft structural systems, subsystems, components, and equipment. The ideal candidate will possess comprehensive knowledge of engineering principles and practices, with a focus on ensuring the airworthiness and integrity of military aircraft.

Key Responsibilities:

• Technical Expertise: Apply advanced knowledge and recognized expertise in structures engineering to oversee and support the efforts of junior and journeyman personnel in the technical discipline.
• Regulatory Compliance: Execute and uphold standards and policies including DoD, AF, and relevant engineering principles. Demonstrate understanding and application of MIL-HDBK-516C for airworthiness certification criteria.
• System Integrity Programs: Support the System Integrity Programs including Mechanical Systems Integrity Program (MECSIP), maintain and update the Critical Safety Item (CSI) list, and monitor airworthiness certification for mission partner aircraft.
• Requirements Translation: Assist in translating user requirements into weapon system requirements to facilitate the design, development, testing, and evaluation of systems for deployment.
• Technical Documentation: Produce and review a variety of technical documents and engineering plans, including Operational Requirements Documents (ORDs), System Engineering Plans (SEPs), and Test and Evaluation Master Plans (TEMPs).
• Risk Assessment: Conduct system safety engineering evaluations, perform mishap risk assessments, and evaluate contractor safety proposals and analyses to resolve high-priority safety issues.
• Collaboration and Communication: Support project team meetings, working groups, and technical reviews, providing inputs and recommendations for equipment and software deficiencies.
• Material Solution Analyses: Participate in analyses leading up to design reviews, assessing operational requirements and developing action plans to improve systems and processes.
• Lifecycle Systems Engineering: Assist with implementing Life Cycle Systems Engineering (LCSE) processes to ensure operational safety and suitability, adhering to relevant policies and standards.
• Safety and Compliance: Provide technical expertise on safety compliance with MIL-STD-882 and FAA requirements, ensuring adherence to risk management practices.
• Continuous Improvement: Engage in value stream mapping and apply best engineering practices through participation in the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century (AFSO21) program.
• Possesses the advanced knowledge, experience and recognized ability to be considered an expert in their technical/professional field, possess the ability to perform tasks and oversee the efforts of junior and journeyman personnel within the technical/professional discipline. Will demonstrate advanced knowledge of their technical/professional discipline as well as possess a comprehensive understanding and ability to apply associated standards, procedures and practices in their area of expertise. (Program Office, Enterprise and Staff Level Support interface).

Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in engineering analysis tools and software.
• In-depth understanding of airworthiness and safety standards.

Disclaimer "The responsibilities and duties outlined in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this role. However, they are not exhaustive and may be subject to change or modification at any time to meet the evolving needs of the organization.

Requirements

Senior Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Active Secret DoD Clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the required level - NO Exceptions
• U.S. Citizenship required for U.S. Government entity.
• AND One of the following combinations of education/experience:
  • MA/MS degree, and twelve (12) years of experience in the respective technical/professional discipline being performed, five (5) years of which must be in the DoD.
  • BA/BS, fifteen (15) years of experience in the respective technical/professional discipline being performed, five (5) of which must be in the DoD.
  • HSD/GED, twenty (20) years of directly related experience with proper certifications as described in the Functionally Aligned Job Descriptions, five (5) of which must be in the DoD.
• Possess excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal skills to develop and maintain working relationships with the internal and external personnel involved with the project or program.
• Possess the knowledge, experience, and recognized ability to be considered an expert in the technical/professional field.

Engineering/Computer Science Education Requirements

• To fill engineering positions, it is recommended that the Contractor have successfully completed an undergraduate degree with a major in engineering from a college or university with an Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited engineering program(s) for the degree requirements of the position (e.g. electrical, mechanical, aerospace). Degrees in engineering from a non-accredited ABET program are not considered to be qualified for these positions.
• To fill engineering technology and/or computer science positions, it is recommended that the Contractor have successfully completed an undergraduate or graduate degree with a major in engineering technology or computer science from a college or university with an ABET-accredited engineering technology or computer science program.
• For engineering and computer science positions the degree must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation. To find out if a school has an ABET accreditation, go to ABET accredited schools (http://www.abet.org).