Mechanical/Aerospace Engineer

Location: Huntsville, AL

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

Radiance Technologies, a rapidly growing employee-owned company, is seeking an experienced Mechanical/Aerospace Engineer to lead the structural, thermal, and aerodynamic design, analysis, and qualification of advanced missile airframes, control surfaces, and internal mechanical packaging.

In this role within the Hardware & Avionics IPT, you will work closely with the SME / Lead Developer to translate aerodynamic profiles and 6-DOF trajectory loads into flight-ready airframe structures, Thermal Protection Systems (TPS), and mechanical interfaces for Control Actuation Systems (CAS) and propulsion units.

Key Responsibilities

1. Airframe Design, Packaging, & Aerothermal Analysis

• Lead the mechanical architecture and CAD modeling of missile airframes, rseekers, body tubes, fins/canards, and internal mounting structures using 3D CAD (Siemens NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks).
• Execute structural, modal, and aerothermal Finite Element Analysis (FEA using ANSYS or NASTRAN) to verify structural integrity, thermal margins, and dynamic response under extreme flight loads (supersonic/hypersonic aerodynamic drag, extreme G-forces, and friction heating).
• Perform mass properties management (center of gravity, moments of inertia, total mass budgets) and work with the GNC team to maintain aerodynamic stability profiles.

2. Mechanical Integration with CAS, Propulsion, & Avionics

• Collaborate with the SME / Lead Developer to integrate Control Actuation Systems (CAS)—including fin shafts, high-torque gearboxes, linkage assemblies, and actuator housings—ensuring minimal mechanical backlash and compliance under heavy aerodynamic loads.
• Design ruggedized mechanical enclosures, mounting chassis, and vibration-isolation assemblies for sensitive onboard avionics, Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), power electronics, and thermal batteries.
• Manage mechanical interfaces with solid rocket motors ensuring proper thrust vector alignment, thermal isolation, and structural load paths.

3. Material Selection & Advanced Manufacturing

• Select high-performance aerospace materials suited for harsh flight environments.
• Apply Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFMA) principles, coordinating with machine shops, composite fabricators, and additive manufacturing vendors to ensure cost-effective, high-precision production.

4. Environmental Qualification & Field Testing

• Author test plans and lead environmental qualification testing for structural airframes and mechanical sub-assemblies (static load tests, modal survey, thermal vacuum / TVAC, random vibration, acoustic loading, and pyroshock per MIL-STD-810).
• Deploy to remote proving grounds and flight test ranges to support hardware assembly, launcher mechanical integration, pre-flight checks, and post-flight recovery/inspection.
• Participate in Failure Review Boards (FRBs) chaired by the Chief Engineer to perform root-cause failure analysis on structural or mechanical anomalies.

Required Qualifications & Technical Stack

• Education: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline with 5+ years of experience (or M.S. with 3+ years) in missile, rocket, or high-performance aerospace structures.
• CAD & FEA Tools:
  • Advanced proficiency in 3D CAD modeling (Siemens NX, CATIA V5/3DEXPERIENCE, or SolidWorks).
  • Strong hands-on expertise in FEA modeling software (ANSYS, NASTRAN, Abaqus, or FEMAP) for structural, thermal, and dynamic stress analysis.
• Aerothermal & Material Knowledge:
  • Deep understanding of high-speed aerodynamics, thermal protection systems (TPS), aero-heating load prediction, and structural dynamics (vibration/shock).
  • In-depth knowledge of aerospace materials (titanium, carbon composites, high-temperature alloys, ablatives) and precision manufacturing processes.
• Security Clearance: Must hold an active US DoD Secret security clearance

Radiance Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.