Approach Venture · 3 days ago
Principal Stress Engineer – Composite Structures and Defense Hardware
El Segundo, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$180K/yr - $230K/yr
5+ years expApproach Venture is a rapidly expanding defense-focused startup seeking a Principal Stress Engineer to lead structural analysis for breakthrough composite technologies. The role involves building advanced FEA frameworks, guiding structural design decisions, and validating performance through rigorous testing in the context of aerospace, defense, and energy applications.
Management Consulting
Hiring Manager
Torey Bell
Responsibilities
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
Qualification
Required
5+ years of experience performing stress analysis for composite materials or structural composite components
Background developing and refining FEA models for novel materials or nontraditional composite architectures
Ability to design, configure, and scale a complete FEA analysis system including software selection, structural setup, validation approaches, and parameter definition
Experience using FEA to optimize weight, geometry, and structural integrity of composite parts
Ability to design and interpret mechanical tests for coupons, sub-elements, and finished geometries
Familiarity with failure mode investigation, structural test correlation, and root cause analysis
Proficiency in CAD modeling with experience creating part and assembly drawings using GD&T
Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across materials, manufacturing, and design teams
Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related discipline
Preferred
10+ years working in composite stress analysis
Exposure to thermal or coupled thermal structural simulations
Experience supporting composite manufacturing environments
Familiarity with Onshape or similar CAD platforms
Background in defense, aerospace, or other high reliability industries
Benefits
Stock options.
401(k) with employer match.
Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
Company
Approach Venture
Enabling founding teams building the future of frontier technology to achieve their full potential.
2-10 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Bryce Dabbs
Founder & CEO
Tristan Cembrinski
Partner
Company data provided by crunchbase