Stratolaunch accelerates the development of next-generation aerospace and defense technologies through reusable hypersonic flight testing. Our autonomous, air-launched Talon-A vehicles provide access to operationally realistic flight environments at speeds exceeding Mach 5, delivering critical data that helps customers validate system performance and advance technologies toward deployment. Our team brings together expertise in engineering, manufacturing, and flight operations to solve complex challenges and advance capabilities essential to national security.

To help achieve these efforts, Stratolaunch is seeking a Sr- or Staff-level Structural Analyst to support design, analysis, integration, testing, and maintenance of hypersonic vehicle and launch system structure. This position will include contributing to conceptual and detailed structural analysis-driven design of primary and secondary structure. You are responsible for contributing to the vehicle’s structural technical performance, including meeting design and mission requirements, resolving technical challenges, and implementing technology upgrades that improve the competitive basis of the hypersonic vehicle and launch system architecture.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Participate in portions of the structural development of hypersonic vehicles and launch systems
Generate and maintain finite element method (FEM) models - including meshing, materials & properties assignment, grouping, etc.
Generate and/or expand upon FEMAP interfacing and data reduction scripts and programs
Apply vehicle loads and environments to FEM
Perform modal and linear finite element analysis (FEA), as required, to evaluate vehicle loads and environments
Perform structural trade studies to develop and/or improve airframe load paths
Assess and confirm FEA results with hand calculations as appropriate
Interpret results and make design modifications to meet program requirements
Select material systems and construction techniques, as needed, that meet project objectives
Work with structural and mechanical designers to incorporate analysis-driven design modifications
Create analysis reports to support the documentation of structural margins
Perform detailed design of structural components and assemblies, as required
Assist structural designers in disposition of manufacturing nonconformances and resolve technical challenges, as they arise
Evaluate risks and develop risk mitigation plans for primary structures
Regular and comprehensive communication to relevant Structures Lead and Section Manager
Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, integrity, and fulfillment of commitments

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Qualifications

Strong fundamental structures background, including load paths and the ability to hand size structural components
Perform structural hand calculations
Experience designing and analyzing either composite or metallic structures
Experience with FEM generation
Experience with FEA and FEA post-processing
Experience generating pre- and post-processing scripts
Ability to communicate technical challenges and guidance to varied audiences to explain rationale and/or resolve concerns
Ability to take direction, work relatively independently, and prioritize tasking to fit within the business goals
Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities

Required Computer Skills

Proficient with FEMAP and NX NASTRAN
Experience programming - Python, C++, or Matlab
MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with BMI or epoxy pre-preg composites
Experience with static structural testing
Experience with loads development
Experience with dynamics analyses

Preferred Computer Skills

Computer Aided Design tools – NX (preferred), Solidworks, or CATIA