Lead Structures Engineer – Special Programs (Aerospace)

TL;DR

Lead Structures Engineer (Aerospace): Leading structural design and analysis for prototype electric aircraft with an accent on airframe structures, loads, and structural substantiation. Focus on rapid prototyping from concept to test and establishing technical standards for special programs.

Location: San Jose, California, United States. Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee)

Salary: $138,200 - $190,100

Company

Aerospace company building all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to advance sustainable air mobility.

What you will do

• Lead structural design and analysis for prototype vehicles, including airframe structures and loads (V-n diagrams, wing and fuselage loads).
• Manage rapid prototyping end-to-end, from concept sketches through detailed design, analysis, and test support.
• Own the structural discipline within Special Programs, setting technical approaches, standards, and analysis methods.
• Conduct technical feasibility assessments of new opportunities, RFPs, and mission requirements.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with program leads and broader engineering teams to align with timelines and constraints.
• Produce technical documentation, trade studies, and analysis packages for design reviews and capture decisions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Structural Engineering.
• 8–12 years of relevant engineering experience in rapid-prototyping or advanced programs environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in aerospace structural design, airframe structures, and loads analysis.
• Strong working knowledge of finite element analysis (FEA) and hand-calculation methods.
• Must be a U.S. Person as defined by ITAR/EAR.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Culture & Benefits

• Pay-for-performance culture that rewards contributions supporting the company strategy.
• Significant technical ownership and autonomy within a small, fast-moving team.
• Opportunity to work on forward-looking defense efforts and cutting-edge aerospace technology.
• Equitable and inclusive environment committed to diversity and accessibility.