Vibroacoustics and Shock Engineer - Engineering Specialist/Sr Engineering Specialist - Aeronautical and Acoustics Engineering

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly-trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments. 

The Vehicle Shock and Vibration Section provides technical expertise in the field of dynamic environments to a wide variety of launch and space programs in the defense and civil sectors. We specialize in test support and hardware issue disposition, standards development, technical risk assessments, review and independent generation of environmental design criteria, time and frequency domain signal analysis, and vibroacoustic analysis. Standard work duties range from long-lead projects to rapid turn requests which require quick engineering judgement and hardware intuition. We are looking for a Vibroacoustics and Shock Engineer (Engineering Specialist/Sr Engineering Specialist - Aeronautical and Acoustics Engineering) to help proactively expand and implement its vision for test practice and technical support to get in front of industry, and to increase its collaboration across technical disciplines within and outside of the organization.

This position is in El Segundo, CA., Chantilly, VA., or Huntsville, AL., requiring at least 4 days onsite.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Proactively identify areas of necessary development in environmental standards or analysis, work with management and engage teams to execute

• Lead technical assessments and serve as point of contact on multiple programs/projects, coordinate and contribute to work within and outside of core team

• Proficiency in dynamic environments testing and instrumentation selection/setup

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to staff

• Contribute to engagement with industry and command media updates to test philosophy and recommended practice for newer systems coming online in defense and civil sectors

• Initiate outreach to other engineering departments and program offices to help solicit collaborative efforts and funding to advance the team’s technical and standards development work

• Present technical and project status briefings to management, internal and external customers, and contractors

• Travel to customer and contractor facilities to support relevant reviews and dynamic environments testing

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Engineering Specialist:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Structural, or Aerospace Engineering or similar field

• 6 or more years of applicable professional or academic experience

• Experience in dynamic environments testing, instrumentation selection/setup, and analysis

• Working knowledge of finite element analysis approach and other computational methods for the solution of problems in vibroacoustics

• Working knowledge of statistical energy analysis and boundary element analysis

• Experience in data processing and spectral analysis of dynamic signals

• Experience in Wave6 or other commercial vibroacoustics code

• Ability to present results effectively in briefings and technical reports to teams, management, program offices, Air Force, and industry contractors

• Familiarity with Python programming language

• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Sr Engineering Specialist - Aeronautical and Acoustics Engineering include:

• 10 or more years applicable professional or educational experience

• Relevant experience in spacecraft vibroacoustic and shock analysis and testing

• Demonstration of dynamic environments technical assessments and standards tailoring made in conjunction with outside disciplines

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Advanced degree(s) in Mechanical, Structural, or Aerospace Engineering or similar field with related coursework in structural dynamics

• 15 or more years of applicable professional experience in structural dynamics or similar field

• Proficiency in commercial vibroacoustic and finite element analysis tools, such as Wave6, VA One, FEMAP, Hypermesh, or NASTRAN

• Experience in analytical methods to solve problems in vibroacoustics and shock

• Hands-on hardware experience, at or outside of workplace

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.  The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.  Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

$131,400.00 - $240,500.00Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change   
• Engage with Impact   
• Foster Innovation   
• Deliver Results  

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

• Flexible spending accounts

• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

• Relocation assistance

• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

• Education assistance programs

• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.