Senior Structural Project Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation's space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space- delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you'll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future space systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; orbital mechanics; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments.

The Structures Department within the Structural Mechanics Subdivision of VSD is seeking a well-qualified individual to serve as a Senior Structural Project Engineer (Senior Project Engineer - Aeronautical and Aerospace Structural Engineering). Ideal candidates will have a strong foundation in solid mechanics, practical experience in structural analysis using both hand calculations and finite element analysis techniques, a passion for the space industry, and a desire to apply their expertise and creativity to help solve a variety of technical challenges. The Structures Department has insight into the structural integrity of launch vehicles, spacecraft, hypersonic technologies, liquid rocket engines, solid rocket motors, pressurized structural systems, electronic components, and thermal protection systems being developed across the aerospace industry and develops technical assessments to help inform government customer decisions.

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA., that requires 4 days onsite.

What You'll Be Doing

Provide technical leadership as part of mission assurance processes for U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force, and NRO missions to assure structural integrity. Typical tasks include independent analyses and assessments, hardware reviews, review and evaluation of stress analysis reports, evaluation of flight data, and investigation of flight and test anomalies.

Lead and coordinate interdisciplinary technical studies across organizational personnel

Assess program risk and advise program office and customers during certification, development, and/or operational phases of programs

Serve as senior mentor for the development of early career staff, providing technical guidance and insight. Conduct peer reviews of technical products and findings.

Effectively communicate status and progress of technical activities, issues, and accomplishments to management.

Act as the organization's lead representative at technical meetings, presentations, and symposia

Maintain authoritative expertise in the development, analysis, and verification of space structures, thorough knowledge of structural design criteria in combination with structural test methods

Identify, evaluate, and resolve issues/anomalies/challenges related to launch and space vehicle structures

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in STEM field

12 years or more years showing progressively increased responsibility

Experience leading cross-organization teams through all phases of product execution

Expert knowledge in the failure mechanics of metallic and composite hardware associated with typical manufacturing and processing issues

Expert knowledge in stage propulsion launch and space vehicle hardware including COPVs, valves, bellows, lines, etc.

Knowledge in using Nastran, Abaqus, Ansys, or other commercial finite element tools

Willing to travel domestically approximately 20 percent of the time

Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

Advanced degree in engineering with a focus in structural and/or solid mechanics or a closely related field

Experience collaborating across the contractor product lines and industry working groups

Technical proficiency in several of the following areas:

Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue Analysis (Damage Tolerance/Safe Life Analysis and Fracture Control)

Additive manufacturing design integration, evaluation, and assessment

Welded joint mechanical properties and analysis

Nondestructive inspection criteria development

Bonded and/or bolted joint failure criteria and analysis methodologies

Composite structure failure criteria and analysis methodology

Probabilistic analysis and uncertainty quantification

Structural stability margin assessment

Experience in the following areas:

Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance (STOP) analysis

Formulation and/or assessment of qualification test plans, procedures, objectives, and success criteria using a building block approach leading up to full-scale test

Real-time monitoring of test execution and evaluation of test results

We offer a competitive compensation package where you'll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)$151,300.00 - $226,900.00

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

Operate Strategically

Lead Change

Engage with Impact

Foster Innovation

Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

401(k) Plan - Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

Flexible spending accounts

Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

Relocation assistance

Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

Education assistance programs

An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other-the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equalopportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color,religion,geneticinformation, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you're an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at or by emailat .You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.