Senior Structural Analysis Engineer

Structural Analysis Engineer

The Structural Analysis Engineer supports the development, verification, and testing of satellite systems and supporting hardware. In this role, you build and maintain finite element models of space hardware, including electromechanical devices, deployed and stowed appendages, fully integrated satellites, and ground support equipment. You use these models to evaluate environments and structural performance, determining flightworthiness from the full satellite design down to component-level assemblies. You participate actively in structural testing by preparing procedures, performing pre-test analysis, defining instrumentation, conducting tests, reducing data, and correlating models. You collaborate closely with satellite operators and launch service providers to ensure compatibility with launch loads and to generate verification artifacts, working within a fast-paced, highly skilled team focused on producing state-of-the-art satellites in a hybrid lab and office environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform moderate-scale structural analysis efforts with a high degree of cross-functional coordination across mechanical, systems, and operations teams.
• Develop and maintain finite element models (FEMs) at the component, subassembly, and satellite levels for space hardware and ground support equipment.
• Perform and document finite element analysis for modal, stress, and vibration responses, including prediction of forces, stresses, deflections, and vibration behavior.
• Document design, analysis, and test results in clear technical reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Iterate within a multidisciplinary team to optimize designs for performance, manufacturability, and launch environment compatibility.
• Create and execute structural test plans and procedures for vibration, shock, and static load testing of satellite components and integrated assemblies.
• Develop and maintain structural analysis software tools to improve efficiency, repeatability, and accuracy of analysis and test data processing.
• Seek out and evaluate new technologies, tools, and approaches to maintain leadership in efficient space system engineering.
• Address unique and varying launch load conditions creatively for multiple combinations of launch environments and payload assemblies.
• Collaborate with satellite operators and launch service providers to ensure structural design compatibility with launch loads and to generate and submit verification artifacts.
• Participate in the test process, including pre-test analysis, instrumentation location definition, test article installation, test execution, data reduction, and post-test model correlation.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned to support satellite development, verification, and operations.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a similar engineering discipline.
• At least six (6) years of professional experience performing structural analysis on spacecraft or launch vehicle structures and components.
• Ability to set up and perform structural analysis on satellite components, satellite systems, launch vehicle adapters, and other complex integrated aerospace assemblies.
• Demonstrated experience performing static analysis, modal analysis, and vibration analysis to generate predictions for forces, stresses, deflections, and vibration responses.
• Proficiency with structural analysis software tools used for finite element modeling and simulation.
• Proficiency with Femap and Patran pre- and post-processors for finite element model creation, setup, and results interpretation.
• Strong background in static analysis, modal analysis, vibration analysis, and stress and deflection prediction for space structures.
• Experience analyzing satellite components, fully integrated satellite systems, launch vehicle adapters, and integrated aerospace assemblies.
• Ability to develop, execute, and document structural test plans and procedures for vibration, shock, and static loads.
• Strong technical reporting skills, including the ability to produce clear technical reports and presentations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary engineering team and coordinate with operators and launch service providers.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in a vibration test lab, including defining and installing instrumentation, installing test articles, designing ground support equipment (GSE), and operating test control software.
• Experience developing analysis and test results processing tools using Excel, MATLAB, and Python.
• Experience working with spacecraft and launch vehicle structures in a lab and office environment.
• Familiarity with ground support equipment design and integration for structural testing.
• Experience with lab instrumentation and test control for vibration, shock, and static load testing.
• Interest in seeking and applying new technologies, tools, and methods for efficient space system engineering.
• Ability to develop and maintain custom structural analysis software tools to support modeling, simulation, and data reduction.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, highly skilled technical team focused on state-of-the-art satellite development.
• Interest in contributing to a people-first, customer-focused, and collaborative culture.

Work Environment

The role operates in a hybrid lab and office environment based out of an engineering office in Tukwila, Washington. You split time between analytical workstations and a vibration test lab where you support structural testing of satellite hardware and ground support equipment. The environment involves working with finite element analysis tools, pre- and post-processors such as Femap and Patran, and software such as Python, MATLAB, and Excel for analysis and data processing. You collaborate closely with a global, highly skilled technical team that values a people-first, customer-focused, and fun culture. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time, benefits-eligible employees, including medical, dental, vision, disability, group term life and AD&D, voluntary life and AD&D insurance, generous paid time off, company holidays, floating holidays, paid volunteerism leave, parental leave, 401(k) pre-tax and Roth deferral options with employer match, flexible spending accounts, an employee stock purchase program, employee and travel assistance programs, employer matching donations, and support for professional development. The company provides modern computing equipment, offers a choice of preferred workstation setup, and supports a collaborative, technology-rich environment dedicated to real-time space-based intelligence and satellite monitoring.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Tukwila, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $62.50 - $72.12/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Tukwila,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 7, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.