Job Opening: Aerospace Structural Engineer
Instar Engineering and Consulting, Inc.
Denver, Colorado
June 5, 2009
Instar Engineering is a small consulting company that provides structural, mechanical, and systems engineering services and teaches short courses to the aerospace industry. Current projects include leading a study for Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) aiming to eliminate the need for coupled loads analysis for small launch-vehicle payloads; providing engineering services for NASA's Orion program; consulting and providing engineering services for Design_Net Engineering's Rideshare Adapter; providing technical leadership to a team chartered with developing new NASA-wide standards for use of threaded fasteners (design, analysis, installation, and verification) and engineering the tests needed to substantiate those standards; and providing guidance and engineering services to cadets and staff at the U.S. Air Force Academy in their small satellite program. Our client list includes over 30 companies and government organizations. Instar has been in business since 1993.
We are looking for a structural engineer, ideally with between 10 and 15 years experience in aerospace. The position would initially entail supporting a variety of projects for Instar's customers, including classical stress analysis, finite element modeling and analysis, dynamics/vibration analysis, fatigue analysis, concept design, test planning, data interpretation, writing reports, and direct interaction with customers. The successful candidate will be mentored by and have access to Instar's senior engineers, Tom Sarafin and Poti Doukas, with over 60 years experience between them. This position requires, as a minimum, a Bachelor's degree in aerospace, civil/structural, mechanical, or a related engineering discipline. Must be a U.S. citizen, and references are required.
This position offers the potential for significant career growth towards key roles in structural/mechanical systems engineering, project management, business development, and developing and teaching engineering short courses.
The ideal candidate would have the following capabilities and traits:
- Strong understanding of structural mechanics (statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials) along with experience in (or a desire for) applying them towards practical problems
- Proficiency in classical stress analysis techniques for metallic structures and fastened joints
- Proficiency in finite element analysis; experience with Nastran and pre/post-processors such as FEMAP is a plus but not necessary
- A strong desire to continue learning, with the goal of understanding "why" and "how" in addition to "what"
- A desire to work towards becoming a mechanically oriented systems engineer rather than a specialist
- A strong work ethic; willing to take responsibility and self-motivated towards ensuring high-quality products
- Strong communication skills, both written and oral, in the English language; comfortable making a technical presentation
- Ability to get along with and work with others; open to new ideas and eager to share knowledge
- Any experience in the following areas would be a plus: mechanical design; structural analysis of welded joints, composites, and bonded joints; dynamics and loads, especially for random vibration; thermal analysis; and structural testing
Work will be performed in the Instar Engineering offices in Littleton, Colorado, and at local client facilities. Some business travel will be necessary to visit clients and interface with various work teams. Instar offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that is better than most.
If you are keenly interested in this position and believe you are qualified for it, email a cover letter and a resume to tom.sarafin@instarengineering.com. We strongly recommend that you spend time on our website, instarengineering.com, and get familiar with our company before applying.