Structural Analyst
Posted on 3/15/2023
INACTIVE
Planet

1,001-5,000 employees

Provides daily global satellite imagery and insights
Company Overview
Planet is a global leader in daily satellite imagery and insights, offering a unique value proposition by imaging the entirety of Earth's landmass daily, a feat unmatched by competitors. The company's technology, developed by former NASA scientists, powers a vast fleet of imaging satellites and sophisticated online software, providing invaluable data to decision-makers across various sectors. This data aids in tackling global challenges, from optimizing agricultural practices to monitoring environmental changes and providing visual evidence of conflict zones, demonstrating Planet's significant industry impact and technical prowess.
Food & Agriculture
Data & Analytics
Hardware
Energy
Social Impact
Aerospace

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

$777.7M

Founded

2010

Headquarters

San Francisco, California

Growth & Insights
Headcount

6 month growth

-1%

1 year growth

15%

2 year growth

58%
Locations
San Francisco, CA, USA
Experience Level
Entry
Junior
Mid
Senior
Expert
Desired Skills
CAD
Python
Communications
MATLAB
SolidWorks
FEM/FEA
Requirements
  • Deep expertise in finite element analysis (FEA), and ability to analyze and root cause problems quickly and efficiently
  • 5+ years experience in static and dynamic structural FEA analysis using Femap/NX Nastran
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or other related engineering or science degree
  • Hands-on experience with dynamic hardware builds, vibration and shock testing
  • Experience scripting and interfacing between Femap and Solidworks API
  • Experience correlating FEA and test results
  • Experience analyzing composite layups and orthotropic materials
  • Experience with design and fabrication of composites and metal parts
  • Experience in force- and response-limiting methodologies
  • Proficiency in SolidWorks and ability to dive into 3D CAD and make design recommendations and improvements
  • Self-motivation and a sense of ownership over one's work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
  • Outstanding verbal and visual communication skills
Responsibilities
  • Drive predictive structural analysis across the spacecraft fleet
  • Build and own in-house finite element models (FEMs) from scratch, from conception at the simplified level, through to maturity at the detailed level
  • Through FEA and hand calculations, validate that our designs meet stiffness and strength requirements
  • Report margins of safety from launch loads, including quasi-static, sine, random, and shock
  • Support Structural, Thermal, and Optical (STOP) analysis of optical payloads
  • Drive stress analysis at external vendors, reviewing their designs and deliverables to ensure that design guidelines and requirements are met
  • Support ICD development and release of key structural interfaces
  • Drive documentation and presentation of analysis results and design recommendations
  • Build scripts to automate in-house FEM development
  • Support test-planning and correlating FEMs to test results
  • Support debugging and root-causing on-orbit anomalies using predictive FEMs
Desired Qualifications
  • Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering or other related engineering or science degree
  • 5+ years of experience designing spacecraft
  • Ability to generate part drawings and perform GD&T
  • Ability to interface with manufacturers and drive DFM
  • Expertise in optics / opto-mechanical hardware
  • Expertise in Coupled-Loads Analysis (CLA) for launch providers
  • Expertise in composites design and analysis
  • Proficient in Matlab, Visual Basic, Python and/or C