Principal Stress Engineer - Composite Structures and Defense Hardware

Job Description

Job Description

Principal Stress Engineer – Lead Structural Analysis for Next Generation Composite Systems!

El Segundo, CA | On-Site

Opportunity Summary

A rapidly expanding defense-focused startup is seeking a Principal Stress Engineer to establish and lead structural analysis for breakthrough composite technologies. This organization is developing high-performance manufacturing methods for complex composite parts used in aerospace, defense, and energy applications. With strong customer traction and an aggressive roadmap, the company is building a world class engineering team to validate and optimize its novel material systems. In this role, you will take ownership of building advanced FEA frameworks, interpreting material data, guiding structural design decisions, and validating performance through rigorous testing. Your work will connect simulation, characterization, and real operating conditions, shaping how these next-generation composites are designed and scaled for mission-critical applications. If you thrive in fast-moving environments and enjoy being the first to define analytical methods, this is a unique opportunity to build a foundational capability as the company grows.

About Us

We are an emerging engineering startup developing a proprietary manufacturing approach for fiber reinforced composites that dramatically increases production speed and lowers cost while maintaining exceptional structural performance. Our technology supports a wide range of high value defense, aerospace, and industrial applications. With multiple programs already underway, we are expanding our technical organization to deepen analytical capabilities, refine material behavior models, and enable robust product development at scale.

Job Duties

• Create, validate, and maintain the company’s initial finite element modeling framework for new composite materials and structural applications.
• Partner with materials engineers and technicians to gather input data, characterize material response, and ensure accurate simulation parameters.
• Design and coordinate mechanical testing for coupons, representative geometries, and full components to connect simulation results with real world behavior.
• Analyze structural response using FEA and use results to influence design choices, process refinement, and material selection.
• Develop internal standards, methods, templates, and analytic tools to support scalable composite stress analysis.
• Conduct failure investigations, evaluate root cause scenarios, and document findings to improve designs and manufacturing consistency.
• Manage, mentor, and collaborate with engineers and technicians involved in analysis, testing, and development activities.
• Occasionally engage with customers to discuss requirements, share data, and present results or simulations.

Qualifications

Preferred Experience

Why Join Us

Compensation Details

$180,000 - $230,000

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