Specialist, Structural Engineering

Job Title: Specialist Structural Engineer

Job Code: 25116

Job Location: Huntsville AL

Job Schedule: 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days totaling 80 hours worked and have every other Friday off

Job Description:

In this role you will perform structural analysis to verify product designs meet structural performance requirements and assist with preliminary design verification. This role requires an experienced structural engineer with a strong technical foundation in aerospace structures particularly rocket propulsion a proactive mindset and a passion for solving problems that can be but are not typically complex in high-performance environments.

As a key contributor you will manage and/or support structural modeling and analysis efforts for solid rocket motor (SRM) components throughout the product lifecyclefrom early development through qualification and production. You will collaborate closely with cross-disciplinary teams interface with customers and drive technical excellence. Work will be performed under general oversight.

Essential Functions:

• Structural Analysis Ownership: Drive analysis tasks for SRM components including metallic and composite motor cases nozzles insulation and propellant grains. Ensure structural integrity across all phases of flight and ground handling.
• FEA Modeling & Execution: Build and execute finite element models using ANSYS ABAQUS or comparable tools. Model components using isotropic orthotropic and viscoelastic material definitions with nonlinear and temperature-dependent properties.
• Load Development: Collaborate with thermal CFD and performance teams to establish pressure thermal gradient and mechanical loading some cases derive boundary conditions and load cases based on mission and design requirements.
• Closed-Form Support: Apply classical methods to validate and supplement numerical results especially for preliminary design trades or quick-turn assessments.
• CAD & Geometry Integration: Import and simplify solid CAD models from design teams to develop robust clean geometry suitable for analysis.
• Margin of Safety Evaluation: Determine margins of safety against yield ultimate failure buckling HCF LCF and fracture using established industry standard practices and internal allowables.
• Documentation & Reporting: Produce high-quality technical reports stress notes and presentations that clearly outline methods assumptions and conclusions for both internal reviews and external customer delivery.
• Design Integration: Participate in formal and informal design reviews. Communicate results trade-offs and risk areas effectively to multidisciplinary audiences including program management and external customers.
• Process Improvement: Contribute to internal tool development analysis automation and knowledge capture to enhance team efficiency and standardization.
• Ability to obtain a US Security Clearance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree and minimum 4 years of prior relevant engineering experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 2 years of prior related engineering experience.In lieu of a degree minimum of 8 years of prior related engineering experience.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Masters degree strongly preferred.
• Experience in linear nonlinear and dynamic structural analysis supporting design and qualification of solid rocket motors.
• Proficiency with FEA tools such as ANSYS Mechanical; experience with ANSYS MAPDL or Python scripting is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with structural assessment and design of filament-wound composite pressure vessels is a strong asset.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret aerospace structural requirements and coordinate load development with cross-functional teams.
• Working knowledge of structural instabilities material nonlinearities and coupled load environments.
• Exposure to full lifecycle aerospace SRM propulsion product development from design through manufacturing and test.
• Strong technical communication skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word Excel PowerPoint).
• Ability to work under general oversight.

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