California

Lead Mechanical Analyst - Aircraft Loads & Propulsion

Posted on Saturday, 5th September 2026

Aerospace and Aviation
California
$200k - 250k per year + Extensive benefits
Permanent

Lead Mechanical Analyst – Aircraft Loads & Propulsion

Hybrid, LA | Up to $250k + strong benefits package

A well-funded aviation technology start-up with a substantial commercial pipeline is scaling its lean engineering team and looking for a high-calibre Mechanical Analyst who can become a workhorse on a critical aircraft programme. You will take ownership of structural and flight-loads analysis across the propulsion and airframe interfaces.

The immediate work is unusually varied: a complex propshaft, engine and electric-machine rotating assembly; air-injection ducting and heat-exchanger hardware, with potential thermal analysis.

You will be:

  • Take analysis ownership across these hardware packages, from first-principles calculations and NASTRAN models through to dynamic, vibration, fatigue and flight-loads assessments.
  • Turn complex analysis into clear, certification-ready stress substantiation for FAA / DER review.
  • Work directly with propulsion, integration and structures engineers to resolve design and loads issues as the programme develops.

You must have:

  • Strong aircraft structural or mechanical analysis experience, including flight loads, hand calculations and static / dynamic FEA.
  • Practical NASTRAN capability, ideally alongside FEMAP, Patran or similar tools.
  • Experience supporting FAA certification or STC-level structural substantiation across metallic and composite hardware.
  • Bonus if you have experience around rotating machinery, engines, drivetrains, nacelles, ducting, heat exchangers or thermal-management systems.

This is a key technical seat for someone who wants to own complex mechanical analysis across a green aircraft programme, not just analyse individual components in isolation.

If that sounds like you, get in touch ASAP – interviews available from 09/08.

Apply for this role