Spacecraft/Payload Structural Analysis Engineer at Space Dynamics Laboratory

Job description

Job ID: 9887 Date Posted: October 21, 2026 The Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) is seeking an experienced structural analysis engineer to support the design, development, and qualification of spacecraft, satellites, precision optical payloads, and related flight hardware. This role focuses on finite element analysis, structural dynamics, margins of safety, structural verification, and environmental testing. The successful candidate will work with multidisciplinary engineering teams, review mechanical designs and drawings for structural adequacy, and help turn concepts into flight-ready hardware from requirements and PDR/CDR through integration, test, and delivery. Hands-on CAD modeling and drawing production are not expected responsibilities. The Strategic & Military Space Division delivers advanced satellite and sensor systems that support the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. Our division is a key component of national security, providing technological solutions and expert mission support. Become part of a team dedicated to making a tangible contribution to our nation’s defense capabilities. Key Responsibilities • Performs static, quasi-static, modal, random-vibration, and other applicable structural analyses of spacecraft, optical payloads, components, and mechanical interfaces • Develops, validates, and interprets finite element models; establish realistic loads, boundary conditions, connections, load paths, and mesh convergence; corroborate results with first-principles calculations • Calculates and documents structural margins of safety for applicable strength, stiffness, stability, fatigue, fastener/joint, and other relevant failure modes using approved requirements and material properties • Reviews 3D mechanical designs and engineering drawings for structural adequacy, interface compatibility, materials, tolerances, and fabrication-related structural risks; collaborate with designers on improvements. CAD modeling and drawing release are not primary duties • Prepares structural analyses, design trades, verification plans, technical reports, and presentations for PDR, CDR, and other formal reviews • Develops structural test predictions; supports static, modal, vibration, and shock qualification tests as applicable; evaluates test results, correlate models, and helps resolve anomalies • Works with laboratory, fabrication, procurement, program management, systems, optical, and thermal teams to support hardware build, integration, and delivery • Manages assigned analysis scope, schedule, and technical deliverables; mentors or reviews the work of other engineers as appropriate to experience level Required Qualifications • Bachelor’s in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a closely related technical field • Five or more years of relevant structural analysis experience; equivalent demonstrated technical responsibility will be considered • Demonstrated proficiency in finite element analysis software (e.g., FEMAP/NASTRAN, ANSYS, Abaqus, or equivalent) and the ability to independently develop and critically evaluate models • Experience with static structural analysis and structural dynamics, including modal analysis and vibration response; experience with aerospace or similarly demanding hardware is relevant • Ability to calculate and substantiate structural margins of safety and independently check results using sound engineering fundamentals • Experience supporting structural or environmental testing and evaluating test results • Ability to interpret engineering drawings and CAD models and provide structural design-review feedback • Experience documenting technical analyses, plans, procedures, and results and presenting conclusions to multidisciplinary teams • Demonstrated ability to work effectively across engineering disciplines and communicate technical assumptions, uncertainties, and recommendations • Must have or be able to obtain a DoW security clearance; must be a U.S. citizen. • Must be able to travel regularly and support off-site work for extended periods when required by project needs Preferred Qualifications • Masters in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field and 10 or more years of directly relevant experience • Demonstrated ownership of spacecraft or optical-payload structural verification through PDR/CDR, fabrication, integration, environmental qualification, and delivery • Proficiency with FEMAP, HyperMesh, and MSC/Siemens NASTRAN, including dynamic analysis, stress recovery, and model correlation • Experience with random-vibration PSD analysis, sine vibration, modal survey, shock response, coupled-loads analysis, and launch environments • Experience with fatigue, fracture, buckling, nonlinear contact, thermal stress, and bonded or bolted joint analysis, including NASA-STD-5020 methods • Experience with composite structures, sandwich panels, inserts, adhesive joints, and composite failure criteria • Experience reviewing precision optomechanical designs, flexures, mechanisms, and dimensional-stability requirements; familiarity with STOP analysis • Experience with structural qualification test planning, instrumentation, test-data reduction, and test/analysis correlation • Familiarity with Siemens NX or equivalent CAD for model inspection and drawing review; no CAD production responsibility expected • Experience with Python, MATLAB, or similar tools for analysis automation and test-data processing • Experience with space-environment design and relevant NASA, DoD, or ECSS structural verification practices • Active TS/SCI security clearance Salary Range • $88,000 - $180,000 • Salary commensurate on education and relevant experience This range serves as a general guideline and may vary based on factors such as role, level, location, market conditions, and individual qualifications, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The range displayed in the job advertisement reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries across all US locations. Specific salary details for a candidate’s preferred location can be provided by the recruiter or HR manager during the hiring process. Why Join SDL? SDL offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. Visit our Benefits Page to learn more about what we offer. SDL delivers advanced multi-domain solutions to protect national security and enable scientific discovery. Our expertise in satellites, sensors and instruments, ground systems and data processing, and autonomous systems plays a critical role in missions supporting NASA and the Department of Defense. Join our team of engineers, scientists, technicians, and business professionals in our seventh decade of delivering mission success. At SDL, we strive to uphold a culture of respect, collaboration, empowerment, and accountability. We listen with open minds, seek to understand diverse perspectives, and engage in thoughtful dialogue. We work together by sharing knowledge, involving others, and offering support. We trust and empower our team members to take ownership, act with integrity, and be accountable. Above all, we deliver on our commitments to each other and to our mission partners. The application window for this position is expected to remain open for approximately 7 days; however, it may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications promptly. For questions, assistance, or accommodation with the application process or the DoD SkillBridge program, please contact employment@sdl.usu.edu.

Requirements

Must-haves

Job ID: 9887
Date Posted: October 21, 2026
Performs static, quasi-static, modal, random-vibration, and other applicable structural analyses of spacecraft, optical payloads, components, and mechanical interfaces
Develops, validates, and interprets finite element models; establish realistic loads, boundary conditions, connections, load paths, and mesh convergence; corroborate results with first-principles calculations
Calculates and documents structural margins of safety for applicable strength, stiffness, stability, fatigue, fastener/joint, and other relevant failure modes using approved requirements and material properties
Prepares structural analyses, design trades, verification plans, technical reports, and presentations for PDR, CDR, and other formal reviews
Develops structural test predictions; supports static, modal, vibration, and shock qualification tests as applicable; evaluates test results, correlate models, and helps resolve anomalies
Works with laboratory, fabrication, procurement, program management, systems, optical, and thermal teams to support hardware build, integration, and delivery
Manages assigned analysis scope, schedule, and technical deliverables; mentors or reviews the work of other engineers as appropriate to experience level
Bachelor’s in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a closely related technical field
Five or more years of relevant structural analysis experience; equivalent demonstrated technical responsibility will be considered
Demonstrated proficiency in finite element analysis software (e.g., FEMAP/NASTRAN, ANSYS, Abaqus, or equivalent) and the ability to independently develop and critically evaluate models

Nice-to-haves

Masters in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field and 10 or more years of directly relevant experience
Demonstrated ownership of spacecraft or optical-payload structural verification through PDR/CDR, fabrication, integration, environmental qualification, and delivery
Proficiency with FEMAP, HyperMesh, and MSC/Siemens NASTRAN, including dynamic analysis, stress recovery, and model correlation
Experience with random-vibration PSD analysis, sine vibration, modal survey, shock response, coupled-loads analysis, and launch environments
Experience with fatigue, fracture, buckling, nonlinear contact, thermal stress, and bonded or bolted joint analysis, including NASA-STD-5020 methods
Experience with composite structures, sandwich panels, inserts, adhesive joints, and composite failure criteria
Experience reviewing precision optomechanical designs, flexures, mechanisms, and dimensional-stability requirements; familiarity with STOP analysis
Experience with structural qualification test planning, instrumentation, test-data reduction, and test/analysis correlation
Familiarity with Siemens NX or equivalent CAD for model inspection and drawing review; no CAD production responsibility expected
Experience with Python, MATLAB, or similar tools for analysis automation and test-data processing
Experience with space-environment design and relevant NASA, DoD, or ECSS structural verification practices
Active TS/SCI security clearance

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