Senior Structures Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

At Karman+ we are building vehicles to go beyond Earth orbit. As a Senior Structures Engineer, your role will be to drive development of mass efficient vehicle primary and secondary vehicle structures. You will work closely with an adept team of engineers to build a new generation of spacecraft, with considerations for solar electric propulsion, thermal control, and component layout. 

Salary Range: $130k - 160k annually

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Take end-to-end responsibility of structural design.
• Conduct and review detailed structural analyses, including modal analysis, finite element analysis (FEA), load calcs, and dynamic testing to validate design integrity under launch loads, thermal stresses, and in-space conditions.
• Work closely with other engineering teams to optimize vehicle performance and layout.
• Collaborate with vendors to source and procure materials and components for the structural subsystem, ensuring that all parts meet mission specifications and delivery schedules.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with the structural subsystem, including potential failure modes and material limitations.
• Ensure that all designs adhere to regulatory, operational, and quality standards, serving as the technical checkpoint for your subsystem during design reviews and integration milestones.

What You Bring

• Equivalent of 5+ years of experience in structural engineering, with a hands-on approach to design, analysis, build, and testing of spacecraft or aerospace structures.
• Strong expertise in structural design, FEA, material science, modal analysis, load analysis, and vibration testing, particularly for space-rated or high-reliability structures.
• Problem-solving mindset— going from theory to hardware by working in a lab to define testing and verify analysis to ensure structural integrity across mission phases.
• An understanding of thermal and propulsion system design considerations, and component layout best practices.
• A desire to keep design cycles tight, by following a build and break philosophy.
• Motivation to challenge the status quo, and be an integral part of an elite team.

Benefits

1. Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) policy

• We focus on what you get done, not how many hours or days you work.

2. Equity Incentive Plan

• We firmly believe in recognizing and rewarding the invaluable contributions made by our employees. To this end, we have established an Equity Incentive Plan that includes granting non-qualified stock options to employees. These Non-Qualifying Stock Options will be awarded in a separate agreement.

3. Medical plans

• We offer you a choice of three different plans that provide comprehensive medical and prescription drug coverage. We cover 100% of your premium for the Gold plan.

4. Dental & Vision plans

• We cover 100% of your premiums.

5. Life insurance

• We cover the premium for a $50,000 policy.

6. Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance

• We cover the whole premium.

7. 401(k) Retirement Plan

• We offer you an opportunity to plan for retirement by contributing to your 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan on a pre-tax or after-tax basis (Roth) through Guideline.

8. FAMLI

• You are eligible for Colorado's Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program, which provides paid leave for qualifying family and medical reasons. This includes up to 12 weeks of leave (or 16 weeks for pregnancy/childbirth complications), with contributions shared by the Company and you as required by law. For more details on eligibility, contributions, and applications, please visit the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment's FAMLI website or contact human resources.