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How much do modal analysis jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for modal analysis in the United States is $27.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.04 and $29.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges faced by engineers working in modal analysis roles, and how can they be addressed?

Engineers specializing in modal analysis often encounter challenges such as interpreting complex vibration data, ensuring accurate boundary conditions in simulations, and correlating test results with analytical models. To address these, it's important to have a strong foundation in structural dynamics, proficiency with specialized software (like ANSYS or MATLAB), and effective communication skills to collaborate with design and testing teams. Regularly reviewing test setups and engaging in cross-functional meetings can help ensure alignment between simulation predictions and experimental outcomes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a modal analysis engineer?

To thrive as a Modal Analysis Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or structural engineering, vibration theory, and dynamics, usually supported by an engineering degree. Proficiency with finite element analysis (FEA) software, data acquisition systems, and modal analysis tools like LMS Test.Lab or ME'scope is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help interpret data and present findings to multidisciplinary teams. These capabilities ensure accurate assessment of structural behavior, guiding design improvements and ensuring safety and reliability in engineering projects.

What is modal analysis?

Modal analysis is a technique used to determine the natural vibration characteristics of a structure or a mechanical component. It identifies the natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping ratios of the system, which are critical for predicting how the structure will respond to dynamic loads. Engineers use modal analysis to prevent resonance, reduce vibrations, and improve the safety and performance of buildings, vehicles, and machinery. This process can be performed experimentally or through computer simulations using finite element analysis (FEA) tools.

What is the difference between Modal Analysis vs Structural Engineer?

AspectModal AnalysisStructural Engineer
Primary FocusAnalyzing vibrational modes and dynamic behavior of structuresDesigning, analyzing, and ensuring the safety of structures
Required CredentialsEngineering degree, specialized training in vibration analysisEngineering degree, professional engineering license
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, simulation software, testing facilitiesConstruction sites, design offices, project sites
Industry UsageEngineering analysis, product development, researchConstruction, infrastructure, building design

While Modal Analysis focuses on understanding the vibrational characteristics of structures, Structural Engineers are responsible for designing and ensuring the safety of those structures. Both roles require engineering credentials, but their work environments and primary objectives differ significantly.

More about Modal Analysis jobs
What job categories do people searching Modal Analysis jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Modal Analysis jobs are:
Modal Analysis jobs near you
Infographic showing various Modal Analysis job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,107 per year, or $27.9 per hour.

Senior Vibrations Test Engineer (R5091)

Shield AI

Dallas, TX

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI's technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Job Description:

Do you enjoy working in a dynamic lab environment and contributing to hardware that can directly impact the safety of service members and civilians? Shield AI is looking for a hands-on Vibration Test Engineer to help validate the next generation of intelligent autonomous systems through rigorous dynamic testing.

The Mechanical Test team's mission is to inform and improve Shield AI hardware design by quantifying product performance through custom measurement systems, specialized testing, and rigorous analysis. As a Vibration Test Engineer, you will serve as the team's subject matter expert in vibration and structural dynamics, leading efforts to characterize hardware response, validate analytical models, and ensure products can withstand demanding operational environments.

We are looking for candidates who are passionate about structural dynamics, curious about how complex systems behave under dynamic loading, and excited to solve challenging engineering problems in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. You will partner closely with Mechanical Design, Analysis, Flight Test, Manufacturing, and Reliability teams to develop test strategies, investigate failures, and improve hardware performance throughout the product lifecycle.

Success in this role requires deep technical expertise in vibration testing, strong analytical thinking, exceptional organization, and the ability to communicate complex technical findings to cross-functional engineering teams.

What you'll do:
  • Lead the planning, execution, and analysis of vibration test programs supporting product development, qualification, and flight readiness.
  • Design, build, and deploy instrumented test setups for vibration, modal, structural, and environmental testing using industry-standard measurement equipment.
  • Execute shaker table testing including sine sweep, random vibration, sine-on-random, resonance search, dwell, and shock testing.
  • Perform experimental modal analysis to characterize structural dynamics and validate finite element models.
  • Develop fixture designs and test methodologies that accurately replicate operational loading conditions while minimizing fixture influence.
  • Instrument hardware using accelerometers, strain gauges, force sensors, displacement sensors, and other dynamic measurement systems.
  • Analyze vibration response data using frequency-domain and time-domain techniques to identify resonances, mode shapes, damping characteristics, and potential failure mechanisms.
  • Partner closely with Mechanical Design and Structural Analysis engineers to correlate test results with analytical models and improve future designs.
  • Investigate vibration-related hardware issues, perform root cause analysis, and recommend design improvements.
  • Develop comprehensive test plans, procedures, reports, and technical presentations that clearly communicate results and engineering recommendations.
  • Maintain vibration testing equipment, data acquisition systems, instrumentation, and calibration records.
  • Support environmental qualification testing and other mechanical test activities as needed.
Required qualifications:
  • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  • Hands-on experience performing vibration testing of mechanical or aerospace systems through industry, research, internships, or competitive engineering projects.
  • Experience operating electrodynamic shaker systems and associated vibration control software.
  • Experience with accelerometers, signal conditioning, data acquisition systems, and dynamic instrumentation.
  • Working knowledge of structural dynamics, vibration theory, modal analysis, and frequency response functions.
  • Experience performing or supporting experimental modal testing and finite element model correlation.
  • Familiarity with MIL-STD-810 vibration and shock testing or equivalent aerospace qualification standards.
  • Experience interpreting vibration data and identifying resonances, structural response characteristics, and failure modes.
  • Working knowledge of CAD software (NX preferred).
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate technical findings to multidisciplinary teams.
  • Demonstrated ability to take ownership of technical work, drive projects independently, and deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced engineering environment.
  • Ability to obtain a Secret//Special Access Required (S//SAR) security clearance is desired.
Preferred qualifications:
  • M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related technical field with an emphasis in structural dynamics or vibration.
  • Experience designing vibration test fixtures and specialized dynamic test equipment.
  • Experience using vibration control and data acquisition platforms such as Data Physics, Bruel & Kjr (HBK), Crystal Instruments, m+p International, LMS/Simcenter Testlab, or similar systems.
  • Experience with finite element analysis software (ANSYS, Abaqus, Nastran, or equivalent) and test-analysis correlation.
  • Experience with strain gauge testing, digital image correlation (DIC), or other advanced structural measurement techniques.
  • Experience supporting aerospace, defense, robotics, UAV, or other high-reliability hardware development programs.
  • Experience with Design of Experiments (DOE), root cause analysis, and failure investigation.
$112,439 - $168,659 a year
#LI-MS1
#LC

Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
 
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
 
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
 
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. 
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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