Structural Engineer - Full Vehicle Concepts

Mach Industries

$100K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-10+ years in structural design/analysis within aerospace environments.
  • Proven leadership in structuring configurations and trades during early design phases.
  • Proficient in creating global FEM models for aircraft applications.
  • Solid understanding of structural mechanics principles (load paths, stiffness, materials).
  • Experience collaborating in multidisciplinary early-design teams.

Responsibilities

  • Lead primary structural design for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) concepts.
  • Translate vehicle definitions into structured layouts and FEM models.
  • Conduct trade studies on structural mass, performance, and material options.
  • Ensure design decisions are traceable from concept to detail phases.
  • Mentor junior analysts/designers, promoting best practices in FEM.
  • Engage in interdisciplinary design reviews, presenting structural implications.

Benefits

  • Health insurance coverage.
  • Retirement plans for long-term savings.
  • Professional development opportunities to enhance skills.
Full Job Description
The Role

Mach Industries is seeking a Structural Engineer with a focus on conceptual and preliminary design efforts. In this role, you will drive the structural configuration and analysis of next-generation unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in support of advanced defense programs. This will be done through leading structural architecture trades, developing early-phase FEM models, defining load paths and material selections, and integrating structural considerations into multidisciplinary vehicle design decisions. Operating in a fast-paced environment, this role demands technical rigor, design leadership, and a broad understanding of aerospace engineering disciplines.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead the development of primary structural configuration for UAS concepts (load-path definition, material/section selection, structural envelope/layout).
  • Translate concept-level vehicle definitions into structural layouts and FEM models (mesh generation, boundary conditions, load cases, sizing).
  • Drive trade studies: structural mass vs performance, manufacturability, stiffness/strength/weight, material alternatives (metal, composite).
  • Provide input to downstream design phases: ensure layout decisions are traceable to concept-level choices and influence detail design.
  • Mentor junior structural analysts/designers: review work, provide technical guidance, promote best practices in early-design FEM methods.
  • Participate in interdisciplinary design reviews, present structural metrics, implications of layout decisions, risk/opportunity assessments.
Required Qualifications
  • 5-10+ years of structural design/analysis experience in aerospace environments.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead structural configuration and trades in early design phases.
  • Experience building global FEM models for aircraft.
  • Knowledge of structural mechanics fundamentals (load paths, stiffness/strength, structural layout, materials).
  • Experience working in a multidisciplinary early-design setting.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Proficiency with FEMAP and NASTRAN.
  • Experience with developing deployed UAS platforms starting at the conceptual level.
  • Experience in startup environments.


Disclosures

This position may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Please note that any offer for employment may be conditioned on authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations without sponsorship for an export license.

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offers may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and training, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in most offers and are considered part of Mach's total compensation package. Mach offers benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development.

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