Structural Dynamics Engineer

The role

The Structural Dynamics Engineer will build structural analysis, verification, and model validation capabilities from scratch. You will run simulations, define tests, build fixtures, and correlate models to test data for flight structures.

What you will do

• Build Nastran models for primary structure, deployables, and optics structures
• Own loads and margins of safety for flight structures
• Deliver Craig-Bampton models to launch providers and interpret coupled loads results
• Define static and dynamic test requirements
• Design and survey test fixtures and run test campaigns
• Correlate models to test data and recommend design changes
• Predict thermal cycling stresses and correlate to strain data
• Supply thermal distortion results to the optics team
• Write analysis standards and validation procedures

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Structural Engineering
• 5-10+ years of structural analysis experience on flight hardware: spacecraft, launch vehicles, or aircraft
• Hands-on experience across the full analysis cycle on multiple flight structures
• Expertise in Nastran (or extensive ANSYS) structural dynamics, including sine, random, and shock, plus static stress and bolted joint analysis
• Experience delivering Craig-Bampton models to a launch provider and interpreting coupled loads results
• Experience defining static and dynamic test requirements and designing the fixtures to run them
• Hands-on Siemens NX experience

Nice to have

• M.S. or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Structural Engineering
• Spaceflight program experience, including vibration and shock qualification testing
• Experience delivering Craig-Bampton models to a launch provider and interpreting coupled loads results
• Experience with jitter, micro-vibration, or smear analysis for pointing-sensitive optics
• Experience standing up an analysis function bringing contractor work in-house
• Experience with thermal distortion or STOP analysis on optical systems
• Proficiency in Python or MATLAB for Nastran post-processing and test data reduction
• Familiarity with GEVS, NASA-STD-5001, SMC-S-016, or launch-provider structural requirements

Benefits

• Equity
• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance coverage
• Health and wellness stipend
• 4 weeks paid time off
• 2 weeks sick leave
• Parental leave
• 401(k) matching

Before you apply

• Subject to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR
• Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of Sta

About the company

Overview Energy is a mission-driven team building satellites in geosynchronous orbit to redirect solar energy to terrestrial projects. They are headquartered in the Northern Virginia / Washington, DC area.