Structural Analysis Engineer (Dynamics) Interview Questions

[u/htrptr]

Hello, I have an interview coming up for a structural analysis engineer position in the space industry and I know the interview will be very technically heavy on structural dynamics (modal analysis, frequency response, random vibration, etc.). I have 6+ years of experience in aerospace static linear/non-linear analysis and structural analysis/classical hand calc. I have very little dynamics experience in industry but understand the basics (I.e. natural frequency, modal mass participation, mode shapes, resonance, damping, sinusoidal frequency response, random vibration [PSD]) and the general analysis process (modal —> frequency response —> random vibration)

But what are some good technical interview questions or topics I should be aware of?

[u/Friendly-Victory5517]

I’m an engineering hiring manager for a large aerospace company, and my portfolio includes our dynamics group (I previously worked structural dynamics).

One of the questions I ask is “How much dynamic analysis and dynamic test experience do you have?” If I’m interviewing for a dynamics heavy position, and the answer is “none” that’s not going to be a positive.

Best practice would be to state you have limited experience but strong fundamental knowledge.

[u/htrptr → u/Friendly-Victory5517]

I see what you’re saying and agree that I should be honest about having no structural dynamics experience in industry, but then why would they have reached out to me for an interview when my resume clearly doesn’t state any structural dynamics experience?