Job Listing Description

Engineer the Structures That Launch the Future

Structural Engineer | Aerospace Launch Systems | Chandler, AZ

PDS Tech Commercial is partnering with a leader in the aerospace industry, to hire a Structural Engineer to support advanced missile and launch vehicle systems. This role offers the opportunity to work on revolutionary technologies that have shaped aerospace history—and will define what comes next.

You’ll join a fast-paced, collaborative engineering environment where innovation, technical rigor, and mission impact come together.

Role Summary & Impact

As a Structural Engineer within the Mechanical & Energetics (M&E) department, you will perform structural analysis, design support, and test planning for flight-critical hardware. Your work will directly influence the safety, reliability, and performance of launch systems used in national defense and space applications.

What You’ll Do Day to Day

• Perform structural engineering tasks supporting the design, analysis, and testing of missile and launch vehicle systems

• Generate safety factors for stress, stiffness, buckling, bolted joints, fracture, and related failure modes

• Apply structural mechanics fundamentals to guide preliminary and final designs of primary and secondary structures and ground support equipment

• Collaborate with analysts, design engineers, and program managers to resolve structural integrity challenges

• Develop proficiency in structural analysis tools such as FEMAP, NX NASTRAN, MathCAD, and similar software

• Interpret and apply engineering specifications and customer requirements

• Produce technical documentation, engineering reports, and analysis summaries

• Define appropriate test levels and instrumentation for qualification and acceptance testing

• Gather and interpret flight data, test results, and material property data

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 5+ years of related engineering experience OR Master’s degree in STEM with 3+ years of related experience

• Strong background in structural analysis and structural mechanics

• Experience with finite element analysis and classical stress/strain methods

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications

• Proficiency with standard engineering documentation and spreadsheet tools

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team

• Must be eligible to obtain a Security Clearance. 

• This position requires use of information or access to facilities subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). These regulations may limit access of controlled technologies: 1) to U.S. Persons, including U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, and other narrow categories including refugees and asylees, or 2) to certain foreign nationals that have received an export license.                                               
   

Preferred Qualifications

• MS or PhD in a related engineering field

• Experience with high-performance flight structures

• Proficiency with FEMAP, NX NASTRAN, ANSYS, ABAQUS, or similar tools

• Experience analyzing composite structures and fracture mechanics

• Active DoD Secret security clearance or higher

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Why Join Us

• Work on Mission-Critical Systems: Contribute to launch and missile programs that support national security and space exploration

• Engineering Excellence: Collaborate with top-tier engineers in a technically rigorous environment

• Innovation-Driven Culture: Be part of a team that values bold ideas, curiosity, and continuous improvement

• Competitive Compensation Starting at : $44.36 per hour

• Predictable Schedule: Monday–Friday, First Shift (9x80)

• Career-Building Experience: Expand your expertise in advanced aerospace structures and analysis

Position Details

• Job Type: Full-Time Consultant (6 months)

• Location: Chandler, AZ (On-site at Launch Systems headquarters)

Ready to Help Launch What’s Next?

If you’re passionate about structural integrity and want your engineering work to make a real-world impact, we want to hear from you.

Apply today through PDS Tech Commercial and help engineer the future of aerospace.

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