{"id":3020546,"url":"https://alion.io/job/workinoptics-senior-staff-structural-analyst-spacecraft-engineering","title":"Senior Staff Structural Analyst - Spacecraft Engineering","company":{"id":1983057,"name":"WorkinOptics","domain":"workinoptics.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/workinoptics","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":true,"listed_via":"workinoptics.com","ats_vendor":"Schema","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":100,"open_postings":80,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0.013,"time_to_fill_p50_days":35,"computed_at":"2026-10-22T06:10:10Z"}},"role":"Aerospace","role_family":"Aerospace","seniority":"staff","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["San Francisco, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":192979,"max":276722,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":276722},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"IonQ","optional":false},{"name":"Abaqus","optional":true},{"name":"ANSYS","optional":true},{"name":"Femap","optional":true},{"name":"GD&T","optional":true},{"name":"MATLAB","optional":true},{"name":"Nastran","optional":true},{"name":"Patran","optional":true},{"name":"Python","optional":true},{"name":"SolidWorks","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-03T19:50:25Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-03","last_verified_at":"2026-09-03T19:50:25Z","board_verified":false,"closed_at":null,"days_open":48,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":48},"description":"About IonQ:\n\nIonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier - delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. IonQ’s newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, is the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners including Amazon Web Services,andAstraZeneca achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance.\nHeadquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our quantum computing services are available through all major cloud providers, while we also meet the needs of networking and sensing customers across land, sea, air, and space. IonQ is making quantum platforms more accessible and impactful than ever before.\nAbout Capella\nCapella, an IonQ company, spans national security, advanced sensing, and next-generation compute to deliver secure, mission-ready intelligence. Capella’s culture is built on collaboration, rigorous engineering, and a shared commitment to delivering solutions that strengthen global stability and security. Team members work side-by-side with some of the most innovative minds in space systems, quantum-enabled technologies, and mission-critical operations.\nCapella values curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to tackle hard problems with precision and creativity. Capella welcomes and encourages applicants whose perspectives are historically underrepresented in technology, national security, and aerospace. No prior space experience is required. Diverse viewpoints strengthen Capella’s ability to innovate and deliver meaningful impact for partners worldwide.\nLocation: This role will be based onsite at our office in Louisville, CO or San Francisco, CA. \nTravel: Up to 10%, domestic or international.\nJob ID: 1784\nThe Role\nCapella, an IonQ company, is looking for a seasoned Structural Analyst to help refine our current analysis tools that support the design, development, and qualification of hardware for space applications. The candidate will advance Capella’s FEA modeling and analysis abilities by developing a standardized analysis approach with associated documentation, creating detailed FEA models of the spacecraft and components used for vehicle level analysis and to output environments for design and test, and support the improvement of designs. You will have the unique opportunity to come in at an early stage and develop the tools and processes that will be used to guide Capella’s growth.\nThe successful candidate will work closely with design, manufacturing, systems, test, and program teams to ensure hardware meets performance, reliability, and mission requirements while maintaining aggressive development schedules.\nThe ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in finite element analysis (FEA), structural dynamics, fracture mechanics, composite and metallic structures, and aerospace design practices. Experience supporting commercial and government spaceflight programs is highly desirable.\nResponsibilities\nPerform detailed structural analyses for spacecraft, payload, and ground support hardware. \nDevelop, correlate, and maintain high-fidelity finite element models for static, dynamic, thermal, and nonlinear analyses. \nGenerate component level dynamic environments (vibe/shock), acoustic, loads, and thermal limits from launch environments and thermal environments. \nGenerate structural margins of safety in accordance with customer and industry standards. \nProvide analytical recommendations that support engineering trade studies and critical project decisions. \nPartner with and mentor design engineers to improve structures for strength, stiffness, weight, manufacturability, and cost. \nEvaluate structural performance under launch, transportation, and operational environments. Perform analyses including: \nLinear and nonlinear static analysis \nModal and frequency response analysis \nRandom vibration \nShock analysis \nBuckling analysis \nFatigue and fracture mechanics \nThermal stress analysis \nContact and large-deformation analysis \n\nDevelop, validate, and update Craig-Bampton reduced-order models (Component Mode Synthesis models) for integrated vehicle dynamic analyses and customer interface requirements, including delivery of Craig-Bampton models to SpaceX and other launch service providers in accordance with provided specifications. \nPrepare structural analysis reports, certification documentation, and technical presentations for internal and external customers. \nSupport hardware qualification and acceptance testing through pre-test predictions and post-test correlation. Strong understanding of vibration testing: Aid in fixture design and test setup (accelerometer locations, etc.) \nUnderstanding of notching and other force limiting techniques \nAbility to review test response results and evaluate impacts on components when levels may be exceeded \n\nParticipate in design reviews including PDR, CDR, TRR, and FRR. \nSupport anomaly investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action implementation. \nCollaborate with manufacturing and test teams to resolve structural issues throughout production and integration. \nRequirements\nBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering discipline \n5+ years of structural analysis experience supporting aerospace or spaceflight hardware. \nAbility to make technically sound decisions under schedule constraints. \nSelf-motivated with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. \nAttention to detail with a commitment to engineering excellence and flight safety. \nAbility to communicate complex structural concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. \nStrong understanding of mechanics of materials, structural dynamics, and aerospace structural design. \nKnowledge of launch vehicle environments, coupled loads analysis, vibration, shock, and acoustic loading. \nExperience analyzing metallic and composite structures, using both classical hand calculations as well as FEA and other computer aided methods. \nFamiliarity with aerospace materials, fastener design, joints, and bonded assemblies. \nAbility to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and manufacturing processes. \nExcellent technical communication and documentation skills. \nExperience generating and correlating Craig-Bampton reduced-order models \nSoftware Experience: NASTRAN - developing and running finite element models \nProficiency with pre/post-processing software including HyperMesh, Patran, FEMAP, or equivalent.\n\nTo conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here. \nWhat Success Looks Like\nSuccess in this role is demonstrated by consistently delivering accurate, high-quality structural analyses that enable informed engineering decisions, reduce technical risk, support qualification, and ensure compliance with customer requirements. The Structural Analyst serves as a trusted technical authority, providing structural insight that contributes directly to mission success from concept development through launch and on-orbit operations.\nPreferred Qualifications\nExperience supporting spacecraft, satellites, and launch vehicles. \nExperience delivering structural dynamic models to launch providers, such as SpaceX. \nExperience correlating analytical models with qualification and flight test data. \nExperience with additively manufactured structures. \nKnowledge of NASA, DoD, ESA, or commercial space structural verification requirements. \nSoftware Experience: Solidworks 2024 for CAD \nExperience with analysis tools such as: ANSYS, Adams, NASGRO, ABAQUS, etc. \nExperience with optimization, scripting, or automation using Python, MATLAB, or similar languages. \nFamiliarity with PLM and configuration management systems such as ARAS\n\nThe total compensation package includes base salary, bonus, equity, and a range of benefits available on our career site.\nIf this role has a commission structure, the compensation range below just reflects the base compensation range.\nWage Transparency:$192,979-$276,722 USDCompensation will vary based on individual factors such as education, qualifications, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location, and calibration against relevant market data and internal team equity. Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Our benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401(k), unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, and a home technology stipend. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment.\nAt IonQ, we believe in fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all while striving to identify and eliminate barriers. We empower employees to thrive by fostering a culture of autonomy, productivity, and respect. We are dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.\nWe are committed to equity and justice. We welcome different voices and viewpoints and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.\nUS Technical Jobs. The position you are applying for will require access to technology that is subject to U.S. export control and government contract restrictions. Employment with IonQ is contingent on either verifying “U.S. Person” (e.g., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum) status for export controls and government contracts work, obtaining any necessary license, and/or confirming the availability of a license exception under U.S. export controls. Please note that in the absence of confirming you are a U.S. Person for export control and government contracts work purposes, IonQ may choose not to apply for a license or decline to use a license exception (if available) for you to access export-controlled technology that may require authorization, and similarly, you may not qualify for government contracts work that requires U.S. Persons, and IonQ may decline to proceed with your application on those bases alone. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.\nUS Non-Technical Jobs. Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.\nIf...","description_format":"text","description_chars":12087,"description_truncated":true,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":5,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity","Unlimited PTO"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US"}],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Satellite Manufacturing","Job Boards & Aggregators"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-21T17:43:00Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":13,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":0.4,"p_active":0.75,"p_room":0.44,"age_days":48,"expected_fill_days":35,"reasons":["seen:48","velocity","win:tail","crowd:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-22T06:10:10Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":276722,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/workinoptics-senior-staff-structural-analyst-spacecraft-engineering","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/workinoptics-senior-staff-structural-analyst-spacecraft-engineering.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-22T19:20:44Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":2572,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-23T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":1983057},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=1983057"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fworkinoptics-senior-staff-structural-analyst-spacecraft-engineering"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fworkinoptics-senior-staff-structural-analyst-spacecraft-engineering"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fworkinoptics-senior-staff-structural-analyst-spacecraft-engineering"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/workinoptics-senior-staff-structural-analyst-spacecraft-engineering\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fworkinoptics-senior-staff-structural-analyst-spacecraft-engineering"}]}