Principal Launch Vehicle Design Engineer II

Job Description

Job Description

Please Note:  To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

At  CesiumAstro , we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.

We are 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.

CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.  Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.  

CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.