Principal Launch Vehicle Design Engineer II

Principal Launch Vehicle Design Engineer II

CesiumAstro is looking to add a Principal Launch Vehicle Design Engineer II to our team. If you enjoy working in a startup environment, and have expertise in the structural and thermal design of launch vehicle (LV) components and systems, including tanks, fairings, and related hardware, we would like to hear from you. In this position, you serve as a subject matter expert, overseeing subsystem development from concept through flight, while ensuring compliance with performance, safety, and reliability requirements. This role requires both deep technical expertise and the ability to guide and mentor engineering teams within a fast-paced start-up environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in FEA and thermal simulations, combined with hands-on experience in experimental development and testing of high-performance aerospace systems. This role involves close collaboration with an international R&D team to optimize performance and reliability of LV hardware.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, analysis, and development of primary and secondary launch vehicle structures, stage interfaces, and payload accommodations.
• Perform static and transient structural and thermal analysis of LV components and systems to ensure mechanical integrity under operational loads.
• Develop and execute test programs, analyze experimental data, and apply findings to optimize designs.
• Prepare CAD models for FEA analysis and manufacturing.
• Generate technical documentation, including reports, specifications, and contributions to PDRs and CDRs.
• Collaborate across mechanical, aerospace, and controls engineering teams to deliver flight-ready systems.
• Mentor junior and senior engineers to build technical understanding and professional development.
• Participate in mission operations, anomaly investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Job Requirements and Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 11+ years of industry experience in aerospace design and analysis.
• Expertise in Ansys tools: Mechanical, Explicit Dynamics (LS-Dyna), Linear and Nonlinear Eigenvalue Buckling, Harmonic Response, and Random Vibrations.
• Proficiency in MATLAB for programming, data analysis, and optimization.
• Proficiency in CAD tools (SolidWorks, NX).
• Strong foundation in systems engineering principles, requirements flowdown, and integration.
• Hands-on experience with hardware development, testing, and qualification.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with close attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Experience:

• Prior experience with cryogenic systems, liquid rocket systems, and LV components.
• Hands-on experience designing and improving LV hardware.
• Knowledge of manufacturing and technological processes for aerospace parts.
• Familiarity with aerospace safety and reliability practices.
• Experience in a start-up or rapid development environment.