Senior Aerospace Engineer

Job Summary

We are seeking a seasoned Senior Aerospace Engineer to support defense aerospace programs, focusing on the conception, design, integration, and validation of aerospace structures and systems across multiple platforms. This role requires extensive technical expertise in aerodynamics, structures, mechanisms, systems, and integration, alongside developing Contract Data Requirements Lists (CDRLs). The incumbent will provide mentorship to junior engineers, collaborate within integrated product teams, ensure deliverables meet stringent contractual and regulatory requirements, and possess a deep understanding of defense acquisition and certification processes. The ability to work independently towards assigned objectives, rather than discrete tasking, is crucial.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related ABET-accredited field.
• Progressive defense aerospace engineering experience, including expertise with aerospace structures, systems, and flight hardware.
• Strong integrated CAD modeling skills (CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks).
• Extensive drawing experience adhering to ASME standards.
• In-depth understanding of GD&T and tolerance analysis for simple and complex geometries.
• Fluency in top-down design approaches for complex systems.
• Excellent written and oral communication; ability to present complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of aerospace materials, structural dynamics, and load path optimization.
• US Citizen.
• Ability to obtain & maintain a Secret Clearance.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Lead the execution of assigned objectives for developing aerospace structures and subsystems.
• Own the technical roadmap, risk assessments, and trade-off studies for assigned objectives.
• Mentor junior staff, providing constructive guidance on best practices, design methodologies, verification strategies, CDRL development, and results feedback.

Technical Skills

• Drive the development of aerospace structures and subsystem objectives, ensuring on-time delivery, specification compliance, and performance optimization.
• Utilize elementary analysis for initial design concept screening, reserving detailed expert review for dedicated analysts.
• Design and integrate Multiphysics systems (electrical, thermal, fluids, mechanical), including dynamic components, into aerospace platforms.
• Partner with analysts to refine designs, achieving a minimum viable product that meets performance and cost targets within schedule.
• Create and maintain high-fidelity CAD models (CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks) using an integrated modeling approach.
• Generate technical drawings of variable scope and complexity adhering to ASME standards (e.g., Single part, Inseparable Assembly, Separable Assembly, Composite, Machined, Welded, Cables).
• Author and/or review technical documentation, specifications, test plans, analysis reports, and CDRL deliverables.
• Derive requirements effectively from customer voice and high-level objectives.

Project & Program Support

• Assist managers in defining scope, schedule, cost baselines, and CDRL delivery schedules.
• Interface with customers and program managers to ensure technical alignment, documentation accuracy, and schedule adherence.
• Participate in programmatic external reviews (MRR, IDR, FDR, CDR).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and internal/external stakeholders; potentially lead integrated product teams.
• Prepare and present technical documentation, including design reviews, analysis reports, and compliance matrices, to stakeholders.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Leverage emerging technologies and methods, such as AI assistance and CAD-based PMI, to enhance efficiency.
• Identify opportunities for tool and process improvements, re-evaluations, new standard adoption, and cost reductions that significantly impact schedule, qualitative outcomes, and financial performance.
• Execute root cause analysis and develop corrective actions.

Desired Skills

• 10-15 years of progressive defense aerospace engineering experience, with 8+ years focused on aerospace structures, systems, and flight hardware.
• Familiarity with CDRL development derived from data item descriptions (DIDs).
• Experience in writing multiple 50-100 page technical documents.
• Hands-on experience with composite structures manufacturing and tooling.
• Hands-on experience in metals fabrication and machining, up to 5-axis.
• Prior involvement in DoD acquisition lifecycle and technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR).
• Experience developing complex, high-cost, multi-physics products and systems from concept to delivery.

Other Important Information

The work associated with this position will be performed onsite at a designated Lockheed Martin facility.

Key skills/competency

• Aerospace Engineering
• Structures Design
• Systems Integration
• CAD Modeling (CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks)
• GD&T / Tolerance Analysis
• ASME Standards
• Defense Programs
• Technical Leadership
• Multiphysics Systems
• CDRL Development