Principal Structural Analyst - Aerospace & Defense

Divergent is building the new industrial age. Every day, our teams design, manufacture, and assemble advanced systems for some of the world’s most demanding industries. Our integrated engineering and manufacturing platform transforms complex designs into production-ready solutions, helping customers move faster, build smarter, and deliver critical systems when they matter most. Divergent is a qualified Tier 1 supplier to global automotive OEMs and supports leading U.S. aerospace and defense companies. Join us and help push the boundaries of what can be built. Purpose Divergent is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Structural Analysis Engineer to support the development of next-generation aerospace and automotive structures utilizing the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS). This role applies advanced finite element analysis (FEA) and CAE methodologies to evaluate, optimize, and validate structural systems while partnering closely with Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Test Engineering, and Product Engineering throughout the development lifecycle. Depending on experience and demonstrated technical leadership, this position may be hired at the Senior Engineer (E05), Lead Engineer (E06), or Principal Engineer (E07) level. Engineers at higher levels are expected to provide increasing technical leadership, define engineering methodologies, influence product strategy, and mentor other engineers while solving the organization's most challenging structural analysis problems. The Role Structural Analysis • Develop, analyze, validate, and optimize finite element models for structural components, assemblies, and complete vehicle or aerospace systems using advanced CAE methodologies. • Perform linear and nonlinear structural analyses including crash, durability, fatigue, vibration, stiffness, thermal, and multi-physics simulations. • Validate simulation results using engineering hand calculations, physical testing, and correlation activities. • Develop engineering recommendations balancing structural performance, manufacturability, cost, weight, production efficiency, and certification requirements. • Apply advanced material modeling techniques for metals, composites, adhesives, and emerging manufacturing technologies. Product Development • Partner with Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Test Engineering, and Product Engineering to develop manufacturable structural solutions. • Support structural design throughout concept development, detailed design, prototype builds, testing, validation, and production launch. • Drive design improvements, cost reduction initiatives, manufacturability enhancements, and product optimization activities. Technical Leadership • Present technical findings and engineering recommendations to cross-functional teams, engineering leadership, customers, and external partners as appropriate. • Mentor and provide technical guidance to less experienced engineers while promoting engineering best practices. • Contribute to the development of CAE methodologies, modeling standards, simulation workflows, and validation processes. At higher engineering levels (E06–E07), lead major technical initiatives, establish structural analysis methodologies, define technical approaches for complex programs, and influence engineering decisions across multiple products or programs. Basic Qualifications • Ability to lawfully access information and technology subject to U.S. export controls. • BS or MS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering. • 5+ years (E05), 8+ years (E06), or 12+ years (E07) of structural analysis experience in aerospace, automotive, or related industries. • Expert experience with Abaqus, LS-Dyna, Nastran, OptiStruct, or equivalent CAE software. • Experience performing nonlinear structural analysis including crash, durability, dynamic, thermal, vibration, or multi-physics simulations. • Strong understanding of solid mechanics and structural behavior of metals, composites, adhesives, and advanced materials. • Experience validating analytical results using engineering calculations and physical testing. • Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate across engineering disciplines. Preferred Qualifications • Experience with aerospace structural certification and MIL-STDs. • Experience supporting DoD, FAA, or other regulatory certification activities. • Experience developing new simulation methodologies or advanced CAE workflows. • Experience leading structural analysis for complete vehicle or aerospace programs. • Experience mentoring engineers and providing technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams. • Experience presenting technical recommendations to executive leadership or external customers. Work Environment • Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Level Expectations E05 – Senior Engineer • Independently executes highly complex structural analyses across multiple projects. • Serves as a subject matter expert within structural analysis. • Mentors junior engineers and contributes to technical best practices. • Influences project-level engineering decisions. E06 – Lead Engineer In addition to E05 expectations: • Leads structural analysis activities for major vehicle or aerospace programs. • Defines analysis strategies and technical methodologies. • Provides technical leadership across multidisciplinary engineering teams. • Establishes engineering standards and drives continuous improvement. • Influences program-level technical decisions. E07 – Principal Engineer In addition to E06 expectations: • Serves as a recognized technical authority in structural analysis. • Establishes long-term structural analysis strategy and technical direction. • Develops innovative CAE methodologies and engineering standards. • Influences engineering decisions across multiple programs and product lines. • Mentors senior engineers and represents Divergent with customers, partners, and technical stakeholders. Compensation At Divergent, our pay range is based on the level of the job. For this role, we will consider candidates at levels PNG E05 - PNG E07 as evaluated through our interview process. • PNG / E05: $134,640 - $185,130 • PNG / E06: $155,540 - $213,840 • PNG / E07: $179,630 - $247,005 Pay Range $134,640—$247,005 USD What We Offer Our Regular, Full-Time Employees: • Holistic Compensation Package: Enjoy a world-class compensation package that includes a competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities, ensuring you're truly valued for your contributions. • Wellness and Time Off: Embrace a healthy lifestyle with paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays, including a year-end shutdown to recharge. We support growing families with paid parental leave, recognizing the importance of bonding time. • Comprehensive Health and Wellness: Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health and wellness benefits, offering both HMO and Premium PPO options. Additionally, benefit from company-sponsored life insurance and short and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind. • Investment in Growth: We're committed to your professional development. Take advantage of reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives, empowering you to continuously expand your skill set and reach peak performance. • Collaborative and High-Performing Environment: Join our collaborative, dynamic, and high-performing team within a fast-paced, mission-driven company. Together, we're disrupting the traditional manufacturing industry, fostering innovation, and integrating people and technology to reduce our footprint. Equal Employment Opportunity Divergent 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, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected characteristic. Divergent provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act. EEO Poster In order to adjust to changes in our business, it may become necessary to add, remove or modify certain duties and responsibilities, or to reassign you to another job position. From time to time you may be asked to work on special projects or to assist with other work. Your cooperation and assistance in performing such additional work is expected. E-Verify: Right to Work Our company participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms a candidate’s eligibility to work in the United States after completing the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9). The information provided on the Form I-9 is compared to the records contained in the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases. This helps employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees. Eligibility to Work Poster (English) | Eligibility to Work Poster (Spanish) Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO) Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO), we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. No agencies, no solicitations, and no calls please.