Michael G. Béda has over 27 years of experience in structural analysis. He is proficient in finite element modeling tools like NASTRAN, I-DEAS and PATRAN. He has expertise in static and dynamic analysis of metallic and composite components, as well as experience planning and supervising structural tests. His career includes positions at Ball Aerospace, Boeing Satellite Systems, and North American Aircraft, where he performed analysis, testing, planning and writing for various spacecraft, aircraft and electronic components. He has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University.

1. Michael G. Béda
3975 Dale Drive
Lafayette, Colorado 80026
mgbeda@yahoo.com
(303) 828-2999
P r o f e s s i o n a l E x p e r i e n c e
As a Structural Analyst with 27 years of experience I am familiar with classical and computer-aided
techniques for static and dynamic analysis of metallic and composite components. I have
expertise with NASTRAN, I-DEAS and PATRAN Finite Element Modeling tools. I am proficient in
the use of Excel, Visual Basic, Matlab and FORTRAN to create automated analysis tools. In
addition to analysis I am also experienced in the planning and supervision of structural tests. My
assignments have given me wide-ranging experience in giving presentations, writing reports and
collaborating in a team environment.
Ball Aerospace
Boulder, CO
Structural Analyst, Principal Engineer
At Ball I have mainly been a “Fireman”, called in to do many short-term critical tasks. This has given me an
opportunity to work on dozens of programs, from Aquila to Worldview, from R & D to production, and to perform
structural and dynamic stress and fatigue analysis on items ranging from microchips to spaceframes. In the last
seven years I have become something of a specialist and have spent about 80% of my time on structural analysis of
Printed Circuit Boards, using a combination of Finite Element modeling and closed form empirical formulas to predict
the fatigue life of electronic components. My next most prevalent job has been vibration and shock testing,
encompassing all stages from initial planning through lab testing to data reduction and report writing. I have also
developed methods for modal analysis of geometrically non-linear structures using NASTRAN and for fatigue
analysis of solder undergoing thermal stress cycling and creep using ANSYS. My accomplishments have included:
Mechanism Analysis: Developed FEM, performed stress, modal and thermal distortion
analysis for the SBSS aperture door and filter wheel mechanisms. Determined component
loads based on equations of motion.
Testing: Planned and supervised JWST cryogenic shock test in which a populated circuit
board was subjected to mechanical shock while at cryogenic temperatures. Planned and
supervised many random and sine vibration tests for JWST, WorldView 3, TIRS and many
other programs.
Spacecraft Analysis: Developed spacecraft FEM for many proposals, including GEMS,
VALOR, GOSAT and Terrestrial Planet Finder. Performed modal and stress analysis and
optimization to reduce weight and cost.
Instrument Analysis: Developed instrument FEM, performed stress, jitter and thermal
distortion analysis in support of OLI/Landsat and GHOS proposals and OMPS program.
Circuit Board Analysis: Developed FEM of circuit boards and electronic chassis for Aquila,
JWST, Vega, TIRS, WorldView, Hubble Service Mission 4 and many other programs.
Performed analysis of circuit board deflection and component and solder fatigue using
methods from Steinberg and Engelmaier. Developed refined Steinberg Method (RCxD) to
account for the effect of local curvature on component fatigue.
(continued)
March 2004 to November 2015

2. Boeing Satellite Systems (Formerly Hughes)
El Segundo, CA
Structures Analyst, Engineer/Scientist
Here I was able to make the transition from aircraft to spacecraft. My greatest accomplishment was my work on
several structural components of the GOES-N weather satellite. In addition to my basic structural analysis work I
participated in static and dynamic loads testing, performed crack growth analysis, and wrote and revised computer
programs to speed classical analysis methods. Other work included:
Mechanism Analysis: Performed stiffness analysis on Spaceway deployable radiator hinge
mechanism.
Testing: Developed Static Test Plan for MIASAT bus and payload Module. Performed static
proof testing of WGS channelizer support structure and pallet launch lock brackets.
Performed ICO cruciform panel static proof test, and ICO pathfinder spacecraft static and
vibration tests. Wrote test plan for GOES-N forward antenna mounting structure.
Spacecraft Analysis: Developed spacecraft FEM for MIASAT. Developed payload module
FEMs for Spaceway and WGS spacecraft. Performed static and dynamic analysis on
multiple primary structural panels for ICO, GOES-N and Spaceway. Performed static and
dynamic analysis on mounts and brackets for WGS, ICO, GOES-N and Spaceway.
Spacecraft Sustaining: Acted as primary contact for Structural Engineering on ICO
Continuation. Reviewed QC issues and new environments. Analyzed proposed TROPO
and DARPA refits of ICO spacecraft. Coordinated with other functions to obtain unit layouts,
weight estimates and dynamic loads for modifications.
North American Aircraft
Seal Beach, CA
Structures Analyst, MTS III
While most of my assignments were on aircraft I was able to work on the X-30 National Aerospace Plane. I
learned how to use NASTRAN as well as using classical methods for the analysis of metallic and composite
structures. I also participated in various static and acoustic tests and helped write the repair manual for the
B1-B. I spent several years in the classified area and held a top secret security clearance. I am most proud
of my work on the X-31A fighter jet, a program I was able to work on from preliminary design to flight
testing. My experience included:
Testing: Wrote test plan and test report for and monitored X-31 static proof load test.
Participated in several development acoustic tests. Performed strength checks on various
metallic and composite parts of the X-31 forward fuselage.
Airframe Analysis: Performed analysis and wrote reports on horizontal and vertical stabilizer
and shoulder longeron repairs on the B1-B. Performed stress analysis and sizing on nose
gear, nozzle and other structures for X-30 NASP.
P u b l i c a t i o n s
"A Curvature-Based Interpretation of the Steinberg Criterion for Fatigue Life of Electronic Components,”
International Symposium on Microelectronics: FALL 2015, Vol. 2015, No. 1, pp. 000707-000712.
E d u c a t i o n
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH
B. S. in Mechanical Engineering, 1988. Graduated Suma Cum Laude.
March 1996 to February 2004
June 1988 to February 19961984 to 1988

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