Entry Level Finite Element Analysis Fea Engineer Jobs

Date Posted:
2026-05-22
Country:
United States of America
Location:
US-CA-CHULA VISTA-B107 ~ 850 Lagoon Dr ~ BLDG 107, Mail Zone 1-C
Position Role Type:
Onsite
U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the company's immigration sponsorship now or in the future. The company will not offer immigration sponsorship for this position. The company will not seek an export authorization for this role.
Security Clearance Type:
None/Not Required
Security Clearance Status:
Not Required
Are you ready to explore the world of aerospace and defense? Do you want to learn from and collaborate with some of the greatest minds in the industry? At RTX, our internships, co-ops, and full-time careers provide an exceptional foundation to work on complex problems, advance your skills and create a safer, more connected world. Discover opportunities to make a difference at RTX.
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Structures Stress Engineer 1 to join our Structures Engineering organization. This entry-level position is ideal for early-career engineers looking to build a strong technical foundation in structural analysis, finite element modeling, aerospace requirements, and design/manufacturing fundamentals.
Working under the mentorship of experienced analysts, you will contribute to the development and verification of composite and metallic aerospace structures while gaining exposure to regulatory requirements and industry-standard analysis tools. The focus is on building continuous improvement fundamentals, developing FEM/Loads skills, analyzing simple subcomponents, and learning requirements, design, and manufacturing processes.
This role is onsite, in Chula Vista, California. This role may be eligible for relocation.
What You Will Do:

• You will develop core skills in classical structural analysis and introductory finite element analysis (FEA).
• You will create and support basic finite element models (FEM) using tools such as NASTRAN, PATRAN, or Hypermesh.
• You will analyze simple subcomponents under supervision, evaluating stresses, strains, and displacement behavior
• You will assist in validating FEM results against test data to ensure reliability.
• You will support material selection efforts and learn the fundamentals of composite and metallic structural behavior and build understanding of design and manufacturing processes relevant to aerospace structures.
• You will develop familiarity with requirements documents (TRD) and certification standards such as FAA/EASA.

What You Will Learn:

• You will learn how to apply classical structural analysis and introductory FEA techniques to real aerospace components.
• You will learn how to build, refine, and interpret finite element models using tools such as NASTRAN, PATRAN, and Hypermesh.
• You will learn how material behavior, design intent, and manufacturing processes influence structural performance.
• You will learn how to navigate customer requirements, FAA/EASA requirements, and the fundamentals of structural certification.
• You will learn how to contribute to engineering quality and efficiency through CORE-driven continuous improvement practices.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) obtained prior to start.
• U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or granted refugee or asylee status) as defined here: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120.62.
• Fundamental understanding of structural analysis concepts.
• Academic or internship exposure to FEA tools.

*Experience may be obtained through on-the-job experience, research, coursework, or projects.
Qualifications We Prefer:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Structural, Aerospace, or Civil Engineering (or related field).
• Hands-on exposure to NASTRAN, Patran, Hypermesh, or similar FEA tools.
• Basic understanding of CAD software such as CATIA.
• Previous internship or co-op experience in aerospace or analysis roles.

What We Offer:
Some of our competitive benefits package includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
• Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning
• Adoption Assistance
• Autism Benefit
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
• Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program
• Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits
• Bright Horizons, child and elder care services
• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
• And more!

Learn More and Apply Now!
Collins Aerospace, a RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio and expertise to solve customers' toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.
Our Advanced Structures team leverages advanced materials and additive manufacturing to develop complex interior and exterior solutions. These solutions ensure structural integrity of the aircraft, help aircraft take off and land, stay trim in the air, move forward, carry cargo and conduct rescues. We delight our customers with superior products and best-in-class service. Our global team is committed to continuous improvement - we work hard to make our solutions lighter-weight, stronger and more technically advanced, so that plane travel can be safer, more affordable and more sustainable in the years to come. We are looking for the best and brightest to fly and land with us!
WE ARE REDEFINING AEROSPACE.
* Please consider the following role type definition as you apply for this role.
Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.
Regardless of your role type, collaboration and innovation are critical to our business and all employees will have access to digital tools so they can work with colleagues around the world - and access to Collins sites when their work requires in-person meetings.
At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form - with our customers and with each other -- propel us all higher, again and again.
Apply now and be part of the team that's redefining aerospace, every day.
As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.
The salary range for this role is 62,900 USD - 119,700 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.
Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.
Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company's performance.
This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.
RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.
RTX 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 class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act.
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