Structural Analysis Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

POSITION PURPOSE

The Staff Engineer, Structural Systems, is charged with leading the structural engineering execution of major product development programs and supporting the structural integrity of product platforms. The activities are focused on structural system design, analysis, validation, and implementation to ensure products meet performance, cost, manufacturability, and regulatory requirements.

The position requires an extensive background in structural engineering with expertise in cold-formed steel design, structural testing, and product structural system development. The individual is responsible for providing technical leadership, mentoring engineers, and ensuring consistent application of structural engineering principles across projects.

The work is largely independent with general direction provided by the Chief Engineer, Structural Systems. The individual is considered a senior technical contributor and project leader with a need to interact extensively with global engineering, product platforms, and manufacturing teams.

NATURE & SCOPE

Reports to the Global Engineering Chief Engineer, Structural Systems. 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Lead structural engineering activities for new product development and major product enhancement projects.
• Establish structural design criteria, analysis approaches, and validation plans to ensure product structural integrity and compliance with performance requirements.
• Work closely with global engineering product platform teams and product management to implement structural design solutions that meet functional, cost, and manufacturability objectives.
• Perform and direct structural analysis of product systems and components, including wind, seismic, transportation, installation, and operational loading.
• Review and approve structural design calculations, drawings, and specifications to ensure compliance with engineering standards and project requirements. Sign/stamp certified dwgs/ calculations as required for projects.
• Define and coordinate structural test programs, including structural load testing, vibration testing, and seismic validation testing. Evaluate test results and implement design improvements as necessary to ensure structural performance and reliability.
• Apply structural analysis methods, calculation tools, and design standards in the execution of structural engineering work.
• Support the implementation and consistent application of structural technologies, design methods, tools, and standards across product development projects.
• Identify and communicate opportunities to improve structural design practices, tools, and engineering efficiency.
• Support product cost reduction, quality improvement, and manufacturing optimization initiatives.

• Understand and apply relevant codes and standards in the design and testing of structural systems and components.
• Use advanced technical and mathematical principles, theories, and engineering practices to solve complex structural engineering problems.
• Support global product platform teams in resolving structural engineering issues and ensuring structural integrity of product designs.
• Create an environment that promotes structural integrity, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Strive for continuous improvement and teamwork in a global product development environment.
• Adhere to the Company’s Code of Conduct and Business Ethics standards.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Effective communication, written and verbal, with a globally diverse audience.
• Ability to work independently and with others on teams to understand and translate design and process engineering requirements into structural system concepts.
• Ability to understand product/component function, reliability, and quality requirements.
• Ability to perform technical literature searches and extract knowledge relevant to BAC products and processes.
• Understanding of HVAC/refrigeration systems and components preferred.
• Strong time management and project management skills.
• Education:  Master’s degree in Mechanical or Structural Engineering. Professional licensing (PE/PEng) required.
• Years of Experience: Minimum of 10 years of structural or mechanical engineering experience; product development experience preferred; global experience preferred.
• Technical Expertise:

• Extensive experience with advanced modeling tools including Finite Element Analysis applications such as ANSYS and Autodesk Simulation, and numerical analysis software including Mathcad.
• Knowledge of structural design methods, including cold-formed steel design (AISI S100) and load determination (ASCE 7).
• Experience defining and directing testing programs used to validate analysis methods and tools.
• Knowledge of materials and an ability to find or determine material properties as required for advanced analyses.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

 Travel as needed to global engineering centers in Europe and Asia, and occasionally as needed to regional manufacturing facilities, test laboratories, technical conferences, and professional association meetings, etc.

WORKING CONDITIONS 

• Working hours are the standard BAC 40 hours per week (8:30am-5:00pm with flexible start/finish times allowed).
• Travel, both domestically and internationally, can be up to 20% of the time.
• Occasional evening/weekend hours required, although the work can often be done from home with the use of a portable computer and a VPN connection.
• Primarily sedentary activity in the office will be experienced; however, periodic travel to BAC manufacturing facilities with mechanical assembly (medium work) and lifting being required.
• Must have close visual acuity to work with computer systems and virtual models.
• Will typically be subjected to only indoor conditions; however, on occasional trips to BAC manufacturing facilities and test laboratories the individual may experience heat, cold, humidity, and noise.