Senior Stress Analyst – Help Build High-Performance Structures for Next-Gen Aerospace & Defense Systems!

El Segundo, CA | Onsite

Opportunity Summary

Join a rapidly scaling, venture-backed, defense-tech company that is reinventing how high-performance structural components are designed, manufactured, and validated for mission-critical aerospace and defense applications. This is an opportunity to get in early with a venture-backed company developing breakthrough material and manufacturing technologies that enable faster production, lighter structures, and dramatically improved performance. As a Senior Stress Analyst, you will play a central role in shaping the structural integrity of advanced composite systems used in demanding operational environments. You’ll build detailed models, guide engineering decisions, and help define the analysis standards that will support production-scale hardware. This is a highly impactful role for someone who enjoys solving complex structural problems, partnering closely with design and manufacturing teams, and driving innovations in composite analysis.

About Us

We are an emerging technology company advancing next-generation composite manufacturing. Our proprietary approach enables the creation of lightweight, high-strength components with dramatically improved production speed and scalability compared to traditional fabrication methods. Our work directly supports customers in the aerospace, national security, transportation, and other industries that require high-performance materials. We operate at the intersection of materials science, mechanical design, and advanced manufacturing—building products that must perform reliably in some of the most challenging environments imaginable.

Job Duties

• Conduct structural and stress analyses for composite components and assemblies, including static loads, fatigue, dynamic response, buckling, temperature-driven loading, and damage tolerance.
• Develop and maintain robust finite-element models using advanced simulation tools; incorporate nonlinear material behavior, laminate theory, and thermal-mechanical interactions.
• Compare analytical predictions with physical test results, investigate deviations, and iterate models to improve accuracy and reliability.
• Influence design decisions by providing guidance on laminate architecture, materials selection, manufacturing constraints, and tooling considerations.
• Partner with design, materials, manufacturing, and quality engineers to embed structural requirements throughout the product lifecycle.
• Create clear documentation outlining methodologies, assumptions, load cases, test correlations, and structural margins.
• Stay current on industry standards, material advancements, and structural certification principles relevant to aerospace and defense applications.
• Lead improvements in simulation methods, design tools, and analysis workflows to increase accuracy and throughput.
• Mentor junior analysts and contribute to the establishment of internal analysis best practices.
• Identify opportunities to automate or enhance the structural analysis pipeline using new techniques, tools, and processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a closely related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience performing structural/stress analysis for composite or high-performance components in aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Strong proficiency with FEA tools (such as Abaqus, ANSYS, Nastran, Femap) and advanced analytical techniques for composite structures.
• Demonstrated experience correlating simulations with physical testing and incorporating feedback into refined structural models.
• Broad understanding of composite material mechanics, manufacturing processes, cure cycles, lay-up considerations, and typical failure modes.
• Ability to communicate technical findings clearly to cross-functional partners and leadership.
• Comfortable working hands-on within a fast-moving hardware development environment.

Preferred Experience

• Background supporting regulated aerospace or defense hardware programs, including exposure to structural certification or formal qualification processes.
• Experience establishing analysis standards, building simulation frameworks, or contributing to analysis strategy at the team or organizational level.
• Knowledge of emerging structural analysis methods, predictive tools, and digital-twin workflows.
• Publications, patents, or research contributions related to composites or structural modeling.
• Eligibility to work on programs subject to export control compliance, if applicable.

Why Join Us

• Work on next-generation composite structures that push the boundaries of performance and manufacturability.
• Highly collaborative environment where engineering ownership and creativity are valued.
• Chance to build foundational analysis processes and influence long-term structural strategy.
• Significant opportunities for career growth as the company scales its technology and product lines.
• High-impact work with direct influence on product architecture
• Medical, dental & vision coverage
• 401(k) Matching
• Equity participation

Compensation Details

$150,000 - $220,000