Mechanical Analyst - Space Structures & FEA

Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

At CesiumAstro , we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.

We are looking to add a Mechanical Analyst to our team. In this position you will develop structural analysis, stress evaluation, verification, and validation activities supporting complex products and platforms. This role contributes to product development by resolving moderately complex structural, thermal, and mechanical engineering challenges, evaluating structural, thermal, and mechanical performance, and supporting engineering decisions that ensure products satisfy strength, stiffness, durability, reliability, engineering, and mission requirements.

Working cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and operations teams, this role supports structural, thermal, mechanical, and stress analysis activities throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Develop structural analyses of components, assemblies, and mechanical systems using analytical methods and finite element analysis (FEA).
• Conduct engineering calculations, stress analyses, load evaluations, margin of safety assessments, fatigue analyses, vibration analyses, and structural trade studies supporting complex products.
• Evaluate engineering drawings, CAD models, material properties, technical specifications, and analytical models to support structural engineering decisions.
• Develop thermal analyses of components, assemblies, and systems, including steady-state and transient heat transfer, thermal management, and thermal-structural interactions, using analytical methods, thermal modeling, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
• Perform mechanical analyses of mechanisms, joints, fasteners, interfaces, and mechanical assemblies, including tolerance, clearance, and load-path evaluations supporting complex products.
• Develop and conduct structural, thermal, and mechanical verification, qualification, testing, and validation activities supporting engineering and manufacturing objectives.
• Evaluate engineering data, test results, inspection findings, analytical models, and structural, thermal, and mechanical performance to resolve moderately complex engineering challenges.
• Recommend root cause investigations, engineering changes, corrective actions, and structural improvements supporting product reliability and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and operations teams to support structural and stress analysis activities across multiple programs.
• Develop stress reports, analysis documentation, technical reports, engineering calculations, engineering recommendations, and engineering change documentation.
• Provide structural engineering guidance during design reviews, engineering investigations, manufacturing reviews, and product development activities.
• Evaluate structural analysis methodologies, engineering standards, analytical models, and verification processes to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen structural integrity, reliability, manufacturability, quality, and engineering effectiveness.
• Recommend improvements to structural analysis methods, engineering documentation, verification activities, and analytical processes.

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, or a related engineering field with 5–8 years of related experience, or Master's degree with 3–6 years of related experience, or PhD with 0–3 years of related experience in structural analysis, stress analysis, finite element analysis, aerospace structures, or a related engineering discipline.
• Advanced knowledge of structural mechanics, stress analysis, mechanics of materials, and finite element analysis (FEA).
• Experience performing static, dynamic, vibration, fatigue, buckling, and structural load analyses supporting complex engineering programs.
• Working knowledge of thermal management and mechanical design principles, including conduction, convection, and radiation, thermal control, and mechanical interfaces and mechanisms.
• Strong understanding of material properties, failure theories, fracture mechanics, margin of safety calculations, GD&T, structural verification, and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrates the ability to resolve moderately complex structural engineering challenges through sound engineering analysis and technical evaluation.
• Exercises sound judgment while providing structural engineering guidance and recommending technical solutions
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.
• Finite element analysis (FEA), structural analysis, CAD, and engineering software, e.g. ANSYS, Abaqus, Nastran, HyperMesh, Creo, or equivalent applications.
• Engineering documentation, PLM, ERP, and collaboration tools, e.g. Windchill, SAP, Jira, or equivalent applications.

$140,000 - $182,000 a year

CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills. Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.

CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard torace, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.