Cryogenic Piping Stress Engineer - Aerospace & Launch Systems

Job Description

Job Description

Cryogenic Piping Stress Engineer – Aerospace & Launch Systems

Position Overview

Onyx Aerospace is seeking an experienced Cryogenic Piping Stress Engineer to support the analysis, design, and integration of complex piping systems for aerospace, launch vehicle, and cryogenic fluid applications.

This position focuses on the structural integrity, flexibility, and mechanical performance of piping systems used in demanding environments, including liquid oxygen (LOX), liquid hydrogen (LH2), liquid nitrogen (LN2), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and other cryogenic or high-pressure fluid systems .

The successful candidate will apply advanced CAESAR II pipe stress analysis techniques to evaluate thermal contraction and expansion, sustained and dynamic loading, support configurations, equipment interfaces, and system fatigue. The engineer will work closely with fluid systems, mechanical, structural, and design teams to ensure piping systems meet applicable engineering codes and operational requirements.

We are particularly interested in experienced engineers from aerospace launch systems, cryogenic propulsion infrastructure, LNG facilities, industrial gas systems, or other technically demanding piping applications who can apply their expertise to aerospace and launch vehicle programs.

Key Responsibilities

Piping Stress Analysis & Engineering

• Perform detailed piping stress, flexibility, and structural analyses using CAESAR II .
• Evaluate sustained, thermal, occasional, and dynamic loads, including pressure, weight, thermal movements, vibration, and other applicable operating conditions.
• Analyze cryogenic piping systems for thermal contraction, differential movement, and associated mechanical stresses.
• Evaluate pipe support configurations, restraint locations, support loads, and equipment interface loads.
• Perform nozzle load evaluations and verify compatibility with equipment and vendor requirements.
• Evaluate fatigue and cyclic loading conditions associated with repeated thermal and operational cycles.
• Develop engineering recommendations to improve piping flexibility, reliability, and structural performance.

Cryogenic & Aerospace Fluid Systems

• Support the design and analysis of piping systems for LOX, LH2, LN2, LNG, and related cryogenic applications.
• Address low-temperature material behavior, thermal gradients, differential contraction, and specialized cryogenic support requirements.
• Evaluate the effects of insulation, cold spring, and thermal movement on piping configurations.
• Coordinate piping stress requirements with fluid systems engineers, structural engineers, equipment designers, and other technical disciplines.
• Support piping integration for launch vehicle ground support equipment, propellant handling systems, and related aerospace infrastructure.

Engineering Compliance & Documentation

• Apply applicable piping codes and standards, including ASME B31.3 , as required by the project.
• Prepare and review stress analysis calculations, engineering reports, support load summaries, and technical recommendations.
• Review piping isometrics, equipment arrangements, support drawings, and specifications for stress-related considerations.
• Participate in design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and engineering issue resolution.
• Support configuration changes, design modifications, and technical documentation throughout the engineering lifecycle.

Technical Coordination & Leadership

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, suppliers, equipment vendors, and customer representatives.
• Resolve piping stress, flexibility, support, and equipment interface issues.
• Provide engineering support during fabrication, installation, testing, and commissioning activities.
• Mentor less-experienced engineers and designers in piping stress analysis and cryogenic piping design practices.
• Provide technical assessments and recommendations to project and engineering leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant piping stress analysis or mechanical engineering experience , including substantial responsibility for complex piping systems.
• Minimum of 3 years of hands-on CAESAR II experience , with demonstrated proficiency in piping stress and flexibility analysis.
• Experience analyzing or designing cryogenic piping systems .
• Strong knowledge of ASME B31.3, or other applicable piping design codes.
• Understanding of thermal expansion and contraction, sustained and occasional loading, piping flexibility, and dynamic load considerations.
• Experience evaluating piping supports, restraints, equipment nozzle loads, and mechanical interfaces.
• Knowledge of cryogenic material behavior and low-temperature engineering considerations.
• Ability to interpret piping isometrics, mechanical drawings, equipment specifications, and engineering calculations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, documentation, and technical communication skills.
• Ability to independently execute complex engineering analyses and coordinate with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting aerospace launch facilities, launch vehicle ground support equipment, propulsion test facilities, or cryogenic propellant systems .
• Experience with LOX, LH2, LNG, or other cryogenic fluid handling infrastructure.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Experience with finite element analysis tools such as NASTRAN, ANSYS or Abaqus.
• Experience with CAD or 3D modeling tools such as AutoCAD, Creo, or SolidWorks.
• Experience evaluating dynamic piping loads, vibration, fatigue, and specialized support configurations.
• Experience coordinating with equipment vendors and structural engineering teams on support and nozzle load requirements.
• Experience supporting fabrication, installation, field modifications, or commissioning of complex piping systems.
• Familiarity with aerospace engineering quality, configuration management, and design review processes.

Ideal Candidate

The strongest candidate will be a mechanical engineer with expertise in CAESAR II and cryogenic piping stress analysis , capable of independently evaluating complex piping configurations and developing practical engineering solutions.

Experience in aerospace is highly desirable but is not mandatory. Engineers with strong backgrounds in LNG, industrial gas, energy, or other cryogenic systems are encouraged to apply.

We are seeking an engineer who understands not only piping code compliance, but also the practical challenges of thermal contraction, structural interfaces, dynamic loads, equipment integration, and reliable operation of cryogenic systems .