About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Engineering.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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Role overview

Confidential Client (via Careertakes) is hiring Structural Analysis Engineers for their Space sector in San Diego, CA. This role supports design, analysis, and verification of aerospace structures (metallic and composite) across preliminary through detailed design, manufacturing support, integration, and test. Travel is approximately 10% and candidates must be eligible to obtain U.S. government clearances (U.S. citizenship required).

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What you’ll do

Confidential Client seeks engineers who will:

• Assess structural integrity of metallic and composite structures using closed-form solutions and finite element analysis (FEA)
• Create and run finite element models for normal modes, linear static stress, dynamic response/stress, thermo-elastic distortion, and hygroscopic distortion
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (Design, Materials, Manufacturing, Quality) to develop and verify cost- and schedule-conscious design solutions
• Support hardware development from preliminary design through drawing release, fabrication, integration, verification testing, and transportation
• Convert material characterization test data into analysis input and material capability properties
• Prepare and present structural assessment results for internal reviews and external customer design reviews
• Assist in disposition and assessment of discrepant hardware and anomalies

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Basic qualifications

Basic qualifications for Associate Structural Engineer (entry level):

• Bachelor’s degree (completed or near completion) in a STEM discipline from an accredited institution
• Experience with finite element modeling
• Knowledge of structural analysis for aerospace structures (metals, sandwich panels, composites, plastics, bonded joints)
• Ability to obtain U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship required)
• Ability to obtain access to Special Access Programs as required

Basic qualifications for Structural Engineer (master’s level):

• Master’s degree (completed or near completion) in a STEM discipline from an accredited institution
• Experience with finite element modeling
• Knowledge of structural analysis for aerospace structures (metals, sandwich panels, composites, plastics, bonded joints)
• Ability to obtain U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship required)
• Ability to obtain access to Special Access Programs as required

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Preferred qualifications

• Cumulative GPA ≥ 3.0/4.0 (preferred)
• MS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• Proficiency with Femap, NX Nastran, Altair HyperWorks, NX CAD, and Matlab
• Experience performing static and dynamic analysis of composites and metallic structures
• Knowledge of composites for extreme environments
• Prior experience in an aerospace manufacturing environment

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Compensation

• Associate Structural Engineer: $76,200 to $114,400 per year
• Structural Engineer: $91,800 to $137,600 per year

Salary ranges are provided by the hiring client and comply with applicable pay transparency requirements.

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Additional details

• Employment type: Full-time
• Location: San Diego, CA (on-site at client facilities)
• Travel: Approximately 10%
• Clearance: U.S. citizenship required to obtain government security clearances and program access
• This role supports mission-critical space and defense programs; strong attention to detail and documentation is required

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.