Flyzipline
Senior Mechanical Engineer - Stress Analysis
South San Francisco, California, USA. Posted 4 months ago
The role
You will own aircraft structural analysis, system level Global Finite Element Models, and assembly level Detailed Finite Element Models. You will apply first-principles analysis and design-test-analysis loops to keep delivery aircraft safe and highly available.
What you will do
- Own and maintain the top-level Global Finite Element Model
- Produce rapid analysis studies and design guidance
- Perform structural sizing and certification support
- Define pre-test predictions, instrumentation plans, and post-test correlation workflows
- Lead root-cause investigations for test and field failures
- Collaborate with design, systems, reliability, test, and flight operations
- Create and document standardized in-house FEM tools and verification checklists
- Support flight-test campaigns and field remediation events on-site
Required qualifications
- Minimum 5 years experience in structural analysis for aircraft or complex aerospace vehicles working with metallic, composite, and polymer structures
- Hands-on hardware experience
- Demonstrated ownership of a top-level GFEM or equivalent system-level model integrating multiple subsystem inputs
- Experience managing contributions from 3–5 engineers
- Deep capability with industry-standard tools (examples: NX, FEMAP/NX Nastran, ANSYS, Siemens Design Center)
- Proficiency scripting in Python or MATLAB to automate workflows and reports
- Solid classical stress and dynamics background
- Roark/Bruhn-level hand-calculation fluency
- Structural modes, random vibration, and forced-harmonic analysis experience
- Proven track record of experimental correlation
- Must be eligible to work in the US
Benefits
- equity compensation
- discretionary annual or performance bonuses
- sales incentives
- medical, dental and vision insurance
- paid time off
Before you apply
- Must be eligible to work in the US
About the company
Zipline is the world’s largest and most experienced drone delivery service. They design, build, and operate the world’s largest autonomous logistics system to deliver food, medicine and essential goods.