Sr. Structural Analyst - Solid Rocket Motor

Come join our amazing team at CFD Research Corporation! We are a small, but growing, 100% employee-owned company that has been around for more than 35 years, offers amazing benefits, including an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) and has a great work-life balance.

As an experienced Solid Rocket Motor Structural Analyst, your expertise will provide valuable insight in the development, test, and certification of solid rocket motor propulsion systems for a wide variety of ongoing and future projects. You will provide technical oversight in the structural evaluation and design of solid rocket motors elements including motor case, igniter, nozzle, propellant, liner, and insulation (PLI), for both large boosters and small specialty motors.

Primary job duties include engaging with vehicle development teams to provide insight on solid motor systems, as well as producing independent analytical assessments. You will provide input for structural analyses of solid rocket motor elements, combined fluid-structural interaction, fracture mechanics, and complex material characterization testing. You will also collaborate with solid motor vendors in the development of integrated flight hardware and associated ground test equipment.

Qualifications:

• BS degree (MS or PhD preferred) from an ABET accredited institution in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering; or Engineering Mechanics with an emphasis in structural analysis is required.
• A minimum of 15 years of experience in the application of finite element methods, empirical closed-form structural analysis techniques, and the assessment of failure mechanisms is required.
• Specialized expertise is required in the development and test-validation of material properties for viscoelastic PLI systems, as well as in the characterization of ablative composite nozzle materials.
• Familiarity with one or more major commercial finite element code such as PATRAN, NASTRAN, ABAQUS, or ANSYS is required.
• Familiarity with NASA standards and MSFC Specifications, as well as qualification / certification requirements and processes associated with rocket propulsion systems and man-rated vehicles is also highly desired.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products such as PowerPoint, Excel, and Word is required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

Essential Functions

Work Environment:

• Office environment.
• Requires ability to provide clear, concise, accurate and timely communication, both verbally and in writing (100%).
• Requires ability to interact professionally with co-workers, management, and client (100%).
• Requires travel in the domestic USA (<15%).

Physical Requirements:

• Requires sitting for extended periods of time in meetings with peers, management, and with our client, to discuss technical issues.
• Also, requires sitting for extended periods of time at a desk to write reports and perform engineering tasks.

Equipment and Machines:

• Requires ability to operate a personal computer, a telephone, fax machine, copier, calculator, and other general office equipment (100%).

Attendance:

• Normal workday is from 7:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday.
• Minimal overtime may be required (10%) to meet schedule milestones and to support technical demands of the job.
• Regular attendance is a necessity and adequate arrangements for delegating duties during absences are required.

Other Essential Functions:

• The ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and to make rational decisions, and to exercise good judgment is essential