Principal Launch Vehicle Design Engineer

Join our team as a Principal Launch Vehicle Design Engineer II. In this role, you will oversee subsystem development from concept through flight, ensuring compliance with performance, safety, and reliability requirements. You will lead the design, analysis, and development of launch vehicle structures, perform structural and thermal analysis, develop and execute test programs, and collaborate with various engineering teams. You will also mentor junior and senior engineers and participate in mission operations and continuous improvement initiatives.

• 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 launch vehicle components and systems to ensure mechanical integrity under operational loads.
• Collaborate across mechanical, aerospace, and controls engineering teams to deliver flight-ready systems, and mentor junior and senior engineers to build technical understanding and professional development.
• Strong foundation in systems engineering principles, requirements flowdown, and integration
• Proficiency in MATLAB for programming, data analysis, and optimization
• Expertise in Ansys tools: Mechanical, Explicit Dynamics (LS-Dyna), Linear and Nonlinear Eigenvalue Buckling, Harmonic Response, and Random Vibrations
• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• Hands-on experience with hardware development, testing, and qualification
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• 11+ years of industry experience in aerospace design and analysis
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with close attention to detail
• Proficiency in CAD tools (SolidWorks, NX)
• Experience in a start-up or rapid development environment
• Familiarity with aerospace safety and reliability practices
• Knowledge of manufacturing and technological processes for aerospace parts
• Hands-on experience designing and improving LV hardware
• Prior experience with cryogenic systems, liquid rocket systems, and LV components