Senior Mechanical Engineer (Systems Stress Analysis)

Standard Job Description

Space is a critical domain, connecting our technologies, our security and our humanity. While others view space as a destination, we see it as a realm of possibilities, where we can do more - we can innovate, invest, inspire and integrate our capabilities to transform the future. At Lockheed Martin Space, we aim to harness the full potential of space to cultivate innovation, reduce costs, and push the boundaries of what technology can achieve. We're creating future-ready solutions, focusing on resiliency and urgency through our 21st Century Security vision. We're erasing boundaries and forming partnerships across industries and around the world. We're advancing spacecraft and the workforce to fuel the next generation. And we're reimagining how space can connect us, ensuring security and prosperity.

Join us in shaping a new era in space and find a career that''s built for you.

Come join our team as our next Orion Systems Stress Analyst!

As a key member of the Orion Systems Stress Analysis team, you will develop and integrate system-level Finite Element Models (FEMs), perform rigorous model integrity checks, and run simulations across all mission events. You'll manage analysis results in a centralized database, apply complex loads and environments through close cross-team coordination, and provide results to guide design enhancements and support verification/validation of evolving mission requirements. This role is critical to ensuring structural integrity and mission success for Human rated exploration-class spacecraft.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Develop, maintain, and integrate system-level Finite Element Models (up to 8M+ DOF) using Femap and Nastran
• Coordinate with Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to build component models for inclusion in system FEMs and conduct model integrity checks
• Execute simulations for all mission events (launch, orbit, separation, landing, etc.) and validate results
• Manage and maintain numerical analysis results in a structured database environment
• Define and apply realistic loads and environments to complex spacecraft models via cross-team coordination with flight sciences disciplines
• Support verification and validation (V&V) activities with Systems Engineering
• Generate performance metrics, status reports, and documentation for Program Management

Other Responsibilities include:

• Perform stress, fatigue, and fracture analyses of flight hardware
• Disposition flight hardware discrepancies
• Support static structural testing campaigns and result correlation
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure analysis alignment with mission objectives

Researches, plans, designs and develops mechanical products and systems such as instruments, controls, robots, engines, machines and mechanical, thermal hydraulic or heat transfer systems for production, transmission, measurement, and use of energy. Applies research to the planning, design, development, and testing of mechanical and/or electromechanical systems, instruments, controls, engines, and/or machines.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience with FEMAP finite element model pre/post processor
• Advanced knowledge of and experience with NASTRAN finite element solver
• Proven experience leading and mentoring junior engineers with spacecraft structural analysis methods
• Knowledge of structural characteristics and mechanical joints with ability to determine detailed load paths through complex systems
• Ability to apply new and advanced analytical techniques necessary to perform structural analysis
• US Citizenship required for this role

Desired Skills

• A Master''s degree is strongly preferred for this position
• Experience with TMP Slim/Vision and other forms of simulation data management
• Experience with Linux-based High Performance Computing (HPC) systems
• Experience with SQL database development
• Experience with Matlab, Python, VBA or other programming languages
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple assignments and customers, simultaneously and independently
• Hardware experience, including design, analysis, assembly, Integration and Test
• Knowledge of human rated structural verification requirements of spacecraft structures
• Experience with NASA's Fracture Control system
• Experience performing crack growth analysis with NASGRO
• Experience in manufacturing environment and dispositioning of discrepant hardware
• Experience with static structural testing
• Experience performing fatigue analysis
• Experience analyzing composite material systems
• Experience using EPDM Windchill
• Knowledgeable of, and possesses experience with, NASA's Artemis Program
• Excellent verbal/written communication, presentation and interpersonal skills with technical and non-technical audiences
• US Citizenship required with the ability to obtain or maintain a Secret security clearance
• Proficient in AI prompting as it applies to this position and practice

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $85300.00 - $158300.00

At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow-both professionally and personally.

The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate''s work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.

Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.

• Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
• For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.