Loads and Dynamics Lead Engineer

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Join us in shaping a new era in space and find a career that's built for you.

As a Loads & Dynamics Analyst, you will serve as a technical authority for loads and dynamics across reentry systems programs. You will have the ability to lead high‑impact, innovative structural‑dynamic analyses and represent the Loads and Dynamics team in meetings with customers, DOE partners, and program management. Operating with broad discretion, you will influence long‑range plans and development strategies, guide major program milestones, and ensure that our solutions set industry standards while protecting the organization’s reputation and business objectives.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead end‑to‑end structural‑dynamic analyses for reentry flight hardware, including the development of loads, shock, vibration and acoustic environments at both primary‑structure and component levels.
• Create, validate, and maintain high‑fidelity models (in‑house and commercial tools such as Abaqus, NX/Nastran, ADAMS, Wave6) that capture mechanical loading, mechanism deployment, and separation‑event responses; generate super‑element and flexible‑body models to streamline the dynamic workflow.
• Define, plan, and execute test campaigns (static, modal, separation dynamics, vibration, shock) – from requirement development and test‑plan authoring through test monitoring, data‑reduction, and post‑test reporting.
• Integrate analysis and test data using signal‑processing and data‑analysis software (MATLAB, Python) to produce accurate comparisons, identify discrepancies, and refine models.
• Produce technical documentation and deliverables (user guides, data packages, test reports) that support peer and customer reviews; present findings to engineering teams, customers, and program office personnel at design‑review and technical‑interchange meetings.
• Interpret and flow down program requirements, develop work‑breakdown plans, and oversee budget and schedule tracking to minimize cost and cycle time while ensuring compliance with organizational objectives.
• Serve as the primary technical liaison for advanced dynamic‑analysis projects, providing expert advice to internal stakeholders and external customers, and driving innovation across the program.

The information below reflects the standard job description for this position:

Researches, plans, designs and develops mechanical products and systems such as instruments, controls, robots, engines, machines and mechanical, thermal hydraulic or heat transfer systems for production, transmission, measurement, and use of energy. Applies research to the planning, design, development, and testing of mechanical and/or electromechanical systems, instruments, controls, engines, and/or machines.

• Analysis and test experience in any of the following areas: static, vibration, acoustic, modal, or shock.

• Experience in mechanical analysis, including finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and/or classical hand calculations.

• Experience utilizing software for signal processing, using relevant digital tools (MATLAB, Python or equivalent).

• Proficiency in rigid and flexible body model, and dynamic theory fundamentals.

• Experience working within a spacecraft, aircraft, or related industry.

• Active or Current Secret clearance; must be able to obtain/maintain a Top Secret clearance; must be a US Citizen. 

• A related Master's degree is strongly preferred for this position.

• Expereince leading ground test capmaigns: defining test requirements/procedure, pretest analysis, test execution, data processing, and post test reporting/correlation.  

• Experience with coupled loads analysis and the super element method (ie: Craig-Bampton).

• Experience with Abaqus, NX/Nastran, Matlab, ADAMS, Wave6, and/or Python.

• Ability and desire to assume ownership of tasks and drive to closure quickly and efficiently.

• Capability to lead teams, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate across disciplines.

• Creativity/innovation to tackle issues related to anomalous performance of any aspect of a mechanical system.

• Active or Current Top Secret Clearance

• Proficient in AI prompting as it applies to this position and practice