Structural Engineer

Job Title: Structural Engineer Structures DesignJob Description

This role focuses on the design and development of innovative aircraft and spacecraft structures, supporting the full product lifecycle from early concept through production, operation, and sustainment. You will create and optimize structural components and assemblies for performance, manufacturability, maintenance, and commercial service while working in a fast-paced environment dedicated to safety and technical excellence.

Responsibilities

• Develop conceptual, preliminary, and detailed designs for aircraft and spacecraft structural configurations, ensuring they meet performance, safety, and operational requirements.

• Create components or portions of functional systems to develop or improve products and support manufacturing operations.

• Integrate vehicle systems into structural designs to ensure cohesive and efficient configurations.

• Create and release detailed 3D parts, assemblies, installations, and engineering drawings using CAD tools.

• Develop technical solutions to complex structural and design problems, applying ingenuity and creativity to meet program goals.

• Work independently to produce designs that conform to industry and internal standards, including tolerances, weight, and cost targets.

• Coordinate closely with multidisciplinary engineering stakeholders throughout design, production, integration, test, delivery, and operational phases of air and space vehicles.

• Support production and operations teams to ensure vehicle readiness for flight, including involvement in fabrication, implementation, and Material Review Board (MRB) activities.

• Participate in continuous improvement of design practices, procedures, tools, and technologies to enhance quality and efficiency.

• Assist in authoring design standards, best practices, procedures, and process documentation to support consistent engineering execution.

• Mentor teammates and actively participate in knowledge transfer and training activities to build team capability.

• Provide design engineering support by responding to questions and requests from internal and external customers in a timely and clear manner.

• Prepare clear, concise technical reports that collect, analyze, and summarize engineering information and recommendations.

• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to achieve program objectives and complete assigned tasks on schedule.

• Proactively uphold a safety-first mindset, managing risks inherent in aerospace and human spaceflight-related activities through daily design and engineering decisions.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in Engineering from an accredited institution.

• 8+ years of experience in the aerospace industry with a strong emphasis on structural design, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and relevant projects.

• Demonstrated knowledge of aircraft structural design and familiarity with industry standards for the manufacture, repair, and assembly of structural components.

• Prior experience designing primary and secondary aircraft or spacecraft structures.

• Prior experience designing accommodations for vehicle systems integration within structural configurations.

• Significant experience using CAD software and composite workbenches to design aircraft or spacecraft structures and components.

• Experience with GD&T per ASME Y14.5, including functional tolerancing, drawing creation, and assembly tolerance stack-up analysis.

• Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools, requirements management tools, and configuration management processes.

• Proficiency in MS Office and strong technical writing skills for preparing documentation and presentations.

• Ability to communicate and present technical material clearly to a range of stakeholders, including engineering peers and leadership.

• High degree of autonomy with the ability to work quickly, manage multiple priorities, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong time management and organizational skills to handle competing tasks and deadlines.

• Demonstrated willingness to adapt thinking and behavior in response to new information, feedback, and project needs.

• Ability to communicate effectively with peers and leadership in a timely, respectful manner, remaining open to other ideas and perspectives.

• Core experience in aerospace engineering, structural engineering, structural design, and analysis using tools such as CATIA.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution.

• Experience with CATIA V5 and/or CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE (3DX).

• Experience with CATIA V5 CPD (Composite Part Design) and/or FiberSIM for composite structures.

• Experience designing sheet metal parts for aerospace applications.

• Experience designing with aerospace fastener systems and associated joining methods.

• Knowledge of composite aircraft structural design and familiarity with industry standards for the manufacture, repair, and assembly of composite components.

• Prior experience designing bonded composite structures, including joints and interfaces.

• Experience in aerospace design environments focused on new aircraft development and advanced vehicle configurations.

• Comfort working in highly collaborative, cross-functional teams and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement.

Work Environment

This role is based at a new aerospace facility located at the Mesa airport, featuring two large hangars and a significant operational footprint dedicated to new aircraft design programs. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, approximately 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The position typically follows a hybrid model with four days on-site and one day remote each week, with the potential for more remote flexibility for highly experienced professionals. Work involves frequent interaction with engineering, production, and operations teams in a modern hangar and office environment, using advanced CAD tools, PLM systems, and composite design technologies. On-site presence supports direct engagement with hardware, manufacturing operations, and integration activities, contributing to a dynamic, safety-focused, and collaborative workplace where high performance and the opportunity for long-term employment are emphasized.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Mesa, AZ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $90.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Mesa, AZ.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 3, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Mesa,AZ.

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.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.