Senior Mass Properties Engineer

POSITION OVERVIEW:

We are seeking a Senior Mass Properties Engineer to support mass properties analysis, control, and measurement for missile, reentry systems, and special programs. This role combines the art and science of predicting and managing mass properties—mass, centers of gravity, moments and products of inertia—from concept through test and final proof to customers. The ideal candidate will have strong experience calculating and measuring mass properties, leading audits and test campaigns, developing and maintaining databases, and serving as a subject matter expert for weight, balance, and inertia across complex aerospace systems.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Provide Mass Properties Engineering support to multiple missile, reentry systems, and special programs.
• Calculate mass properties (mass, three-axis centers of gravity, moments and products of inertia) for components and assemblies, and update and maintain mass properties databases.
• Perform mass properties analysis to resolve weight, centers of gravity, mass moments of inertia, and products of inertia from assemblies down to the component level; track changes impacting mass properties.
• Prepare mass properties reports and support design reviews with clear data and recommendations.
• Interpret detailed mechanism designs using manufacturing drawings and standard modeling software tools.
• Lead mass properties audits; develop test procedures and perform mass properties measurements using platforms and multiple load cell methods; reduce and interpret measurement data into final user values.
• Develop and maintain configuration-controlled mass properties databases.
• Facilitate Mass Properties Control Boards and weight reduction teams and document and publish analysis reports.
• Lead the mass properties effort on small programs and support weight control and reduction initiatives.

Security / Clearance Requirement

• Secret clearance required; must be a U.S. Citizen, with ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret as needed.

Additional Qualifications (Desired Skills)

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics.
• Understanding of and interaction with other mechanical analysis groups (stress, structural loads and dynamics, thermodynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion and power systems) and subsystem designers to promote mass-properties-efficient design alternatives.
• Hands-on experience with mass properties testing using spin balance (rotary-type) mass properties machines for aerospace components and assemblies, including planning and executing spin balance test campaigns, leading static and dynamic balancing procedures, interpreting imbalance results, applying corrective balance masses, and integrating findings into system-level models.
• Experience with manual and statistical tolerance analysis (Root Sum Square (RSS), Monte Carlo, worst case, etc.).
• Experience serving as mass properties SME for proposals/RFPs, producing preliminary weight, balance, and inertia models using parametric estimates and historical data, and delivering data-driven analyses that support cost, performance, and schedule assessments.
• Ability to take task direction and prioritization from senior engineers and management in mass properties analysis, control, verification, and database methods.
• Self-starter able to perform multiple mass properties tasks and simple estimations of preliminary design concepts.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint; solid modeling applications (IDEAS, Pro/E, or CREO); Mathcad and/or MATLAB; and familiarity with other analysis tools.
• Experience as a key contributor for weight control and reduction efforts and supporting technical concerns related to weight reductions.
• Ability to write mass properties procedures, practices, and specifications.
• Experience working on united product teams and interacting with other engineering fields, technicians, subcontractors, and customers.
• Familiarity with manufacturing and assembly techniques and processes, including developing test procedures and performing data reduction.
• Demonstrated systems-thinking behaviors with the ability to select and apply appropriate systems thinking skills to solve problems and implement constructive change.
• Missile or space segment design and test experience with one or more subsystems or disciplines outside of systems engineering.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to build consensus among peers and solid relationships with team members.
• Active Secret security clearance with the ability to acquire and maintain a Top Secret clearance.