Structural Mechanics Project Engineer
- US citizenship
- TS/SCI clearance
How this pay compares
This posting does not state its pay. Open mechanical engineer jobs in California post a median of $158k a year, the middle half $130k–$180k, across 266 jobs that state their pay.
Mechanical engineers in California: pay by town and employer
About the job
The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space - delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers.
When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.
The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support.
Comprised primarily of highly trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; orbital mechanics; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments.
The Structural Mechanics Integration Office is building an elite team of problem-solvers who thrive at the intersection of technical excellence and strategic impact. We're looking for exceptional engineers who can bridge disciplines, navigate complexity, and drive innovation on the most challenging structural mechanics problems in aerospace.
As a Structural Mechanics Project Engineer (Project Engineer - Interdisciplinary Vehicle Engineering and Integration) in the Structural Mechanics Integration Office, you will join a team of engineers, working across our Structural Mechanics Subdivision and programs, to develop multi-disciplinary solutions to the hardest structural mechanics related problems in the industry.
You will have the unique opportunity to create clarity and produce integrated products and solutions across The Aerospace Corporation’s entire portfolio, while also expanding subdivision capabilities. This position is located in El Segundo, CA, requiring at least 4 days onsite.
Additional locations being considered are Chantilly, VA, Colorado Springs, CO, Huntsville, AL, or Albuquerque, NM. ## What You’ll Be Doing - Connect emerging issues and programs with subdivision capabilities, coordinating joint decision processes, and advocating for strategic technical priorities across functional, security, and subject matter boundaries - Lead ad-hoc cross-disciplinary teams to develop solutions that address shortcomings in processes, products, and data flows. - Maintain awareness of capabilities across functional departments and foster opportunities to apply and grow those capabilities - Develop and maintain relationships with internal and external customers and contractors, coordinating subdivision equities across all stages of program acquisitions and advocate for deeper involvement where appropriate - Maintain technical depth in structural mechanics related focus area and implement capabilities in select instances where appropriate - Identify technical needs and solutions for problems that arise during hardware developmental and operational phases, including identification of root cause for anomalies - Contribute to the maintenance of requirements, technical supporting data, and rationale for SSC-S-016 ## Minimum Requirements - Bachelor's degree in a structural mechanics related STEM field or equivalent - 8 or more years of experience in multiple aerospace structural mechanics disciplines - Familiarity with space and/or launch vehicle contractors - Proven track record of delivering impactful outcomes on national security space programs - Willing to occasionally travel domestically to support customer needs, approximately ~10% (as required) - This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret with Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government.
U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. ## It would be impressive if you have one or more of these - Advanced degree in a structural mechanics related STEM field or equivalent - 12 or more years of experience in cross-disciplinary structural mechanics roles - Active Top Secret with SCI and/or SAP access security clearance We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.
The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills. (Min - Max) $129,000.00 - $193,500.00 Pay Basis: Annual ## Leadership Competencies Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership.
At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who: - Operate Strategically - Lead Change - Engage with Impact - Foster Innovation - Deliver Results ## Ways We Reward Our Employees During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.
Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.
A few highlights include: - Comprehensive health care and wellness plans - Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation - Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options - 401(k) Plan - Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire - Flexible spending accounts - Variable pay program for exceptional contributions - Relocation assistance - Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career - Education assistance programs - An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other - the belief that we can make a difference.
This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation. ## Equal Opportunity Commitment The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.
If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal .
From The Aerospace Corporation's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
Selected agencies hiring now
Contract Professionals Inc (CPI)Engineering and technical staffing agency
Aerospace and defense staffing firm in Waterford, Michigan, placing engineers, maintenance technicians, mechanics, welders and CNC machinists.
Places: Propulsion, Mechanical, Avionics, RF & Payloads
Chipton-RossEngineering and technical staffing agency
Aerospace and defense engineering staffing firm with offices in El Segundo, Long Beach and Playa Del Rey, California, Charleston, Pascagoula and Newport News, placing engineers, designers and technicians on contract and direct hire.
Places: Mechanical, Avionics, Systems & Test, Technicians
These agencies and apps pay SpaceJobs.Now a referral fee when someone we introduce is placed or signs up. It costs you nothing and never changes your pay. Employers' own jobs below keep their own order.
Sponsored jobs from job networks, which pay SpaceJobs.Now when you click one.
Free tools for this application: check your resume against this job, answer the application's questions or see every free tool.
New mechanical, structures and thermal engineering jobs in space in California, by email
One email a week with the newest ones, straight from the employers' own careers sites, with the pay each posting states. Free, stop anytime.
About The Aerospace Corporation
Nonprofit research center for the space enterprise, working mainly for the US Space Force and the NRO.
Pay on its listings: 0% of its open jobs state an hourly rate
How it pays: Paid as an employee on The Aerospace Corporation's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).
More mechanical, structures and thermal engineering jobs in space
- Loads & Dynamics Engineer (Starshield)$100,000–$160,000/yr
- Spacecraft Dynamics Engineer$136,000–$220,000/yr
- Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer$150,000–$200,000/yr
- Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer - Composites and Structures$175,000–$215,000/yr
- Vehicle Structures Engineer I (Heat Shield)$90,000–$136,000/yr
- Strength Analyst 3$99,604–$166,007/yr
A mechanical, structures or thermal engineer?
One profile for every employer here. Space companies and their recruiters ask us for people with a specific degree, clearance, specialty or location: add yours once, and when a job fits, we introduce you, only with your yes. Free.
The Aerospace Corporation openings, sent to you weekly
Each week we send the newest postings from The Aerospace Corporation's own careers site, along with similar openings at other space employers. It costs nothing and you can stop anytime.