Specialist, Structural Engineering

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L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers' mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Specialist, Structural Engineer

Job Code: 46846

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 lifecycle-from 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.

Why This Role Matters:

You won't just be running models - you'll be influencing major design decisions and contributing directly to flight-critical hardware. This position is a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge propulsion technologies that drive national defense initiatives.

Essential Functions:

• Structural Analysis Ownership: Drive analysis tasks for SRM components with a focus on nozzles, but also including metallic and composite motor cases, 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 conditions. In 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 secret security clearance.
• Travel: 10%.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree and minimum 4 years of prior structural analysis experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 2 years of prior structural analysis experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 8 years of prior structural analysis experience.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Bachelor's Degree (in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering discipline) is preferred.
• Proven 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 solid rocket motors 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).

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L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

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