Structural Designer (Contingent)

Structural Development & Ownership 

• Lead the structural development and verification of spacecraft subsystems from concept through flight qualification and successful transition into production

• Own subsystem-level structural development activities including structural modeling, design assessment, verification, testing, qualification, and risk reduction

• Assess spacecraft hardware performance under static, dynamic, vibration, shock, deployment, and operational loading environments

• Drive structural trade studies and influence design decisions using first-principles engineering, simulation, testing, and sound engineering judgment 

• Identify structural risks early and recommend design improvements that enhance performance, reliability, manufacturability, and qualification success

• Demonstrate compliance with structural requirements through analysis, testing, and documented margins of safety

Analysis, Verification & Risk Reduction 

• Develop and maintain structural models used to predict spacecraft and subsystem performance

• Define structural verification strategies and success criteria aligned with mission requirements 

• Plan and execute qualification activities including vibration, static load, modal, shock, and other environmental test campaigns

• Correlate simulation results with physical testing to continuously improve model fidelity and engineering confidence

• Support hardware development teams by translating analysis findings into practical design recommendations

• Lead root-cause investigations and drive complex technical issues through to resolution

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Work closely with systems, RF, electrical, software, mechanical, manufacturing, supply chain, AIT, and mission operations teams to develop integrated spacecraft solutions

• Facilitate technical discussions regarding structural performance, design trades, risks, and recommendations

• Coordinate structural activities across stakeholders to ensure successful integration, verification, and delivery

Engineering Excellence 

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of structural engineering methods, analysis approaches, verification practices, and development workflows 

• Act as a peer reviewer, mentor junior engineers, and provide technical leadership within project teams

• Promote a culture of technical rigor, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or equivalent

• 4+ years of experience developing and verifying structural solutions for complex mechanical, aerospace, or spacecraft systems

• Strong understanding of structural mechanics, dynamics, vibration, shock, fatigue, failure modes, and margins of safety

• Experience developing and correlating structural models using simulation and physical testing

• Experience assessing designs under static, dynamic, vibration, shock, deployment, and operational loading environments

• Experience defining structural verification approaches and qualification strategies

• Demonstrated willingness and ability to leverage AI-assisted engineering and development tools to improve productivity, design quality, and innovation while adapting to evolving technologies and best practices

• Experience with NASTRAN-based analysis environments such as Simcenter 3D, NX NASTRAN, FEMAP, MSC NASTRAN, or equivalent

• Experience with CAD platforms such as Onshape, Creo, SolidWorks, NX, or equivalent

• Strong communication and documentation skills working within multidisciplinary engineering teams

• Comfortable operating in a hands-on development environment involving prototyping, testing, troubleshooting, and hardware development