Spacecraft Structures Engineer

Star Catcher•Jacksonville, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Star Catcher Industries, Inc., located in Jacksonville, Florida, is hiring a Spacecraft Structures Engineer to support development of spacecraft that beam power between spacecraft and the Star Catcher Network, an orbital power grid. The role is responsible for the design, analysis, and testing of structural systems, components, and ground support equipment used on spacecraft, satellites, and other space-related technologies. The engineer will work across concept, preliminary, and detailed design phases and collaborate with mechanical design, opto-mechanical, thermal, electrical, and manufacturing teams to resolve issues identified through analysis and testing.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, structural, or aerospace engineering, or a related field.
At least three years of experience designing, analyzing, and testing mechanical hardware for complex systems.
Experience producing CAD models and drawings with GD&T in Autodesk Inventor or an equivalent tool.
Experience performing structural analysis in Ansys Mechanical or an equivalent tool, including static, modal, and random vibration load cases.
Working knowledge of aerospace structural criteria, including margin-of-safety reporting, bolted-joint analysis, and factors of safety per NASA-STD-5001.
Hands-on experience in a shop, laboratory, or cleanroom environment supporting hardware build, integration, or environmental testing.
Creative problem-solving skills and the ability to develop solutions to advanced engineering challenges.
Willingness to follow company standards and procedures.
Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations, to conform with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR.
Must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States and pass a background check.

Nice To Haves

Master's or Ph.D. in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or a related field.
Experience analyzing deployable structures, hinges, latches, and stowed launch load paths.
Experience with structural-thermal-optical performance (STOP) analysis or thermoelastic distortion of precision optical assemblies.
Experience with composite, bonded, or lightweight panel construction and associated fabrication processes.
Python or APDL scripting to automate model builds, load-case sweeps, and margin reporting.
Familiarity with regulations and standards relevant to space missions and operations.
Ability to communicate and work effectively in a multidisciplinary team while prioritizing tasks, multiple projects, and personnel.

Responsibilities

Design spacecraft structures and ground support equipment for concept, preliminary, and detailed design phases using Autodesk Inventor.
Generate and release engineering drawings for fabrication and assembly in accordance with drawing standards and GD&T.
Create and release engineering change orders documenting design changes.
Perform hand calculations and finite element analyses of assigned parts for quasi-static, modal, random vibration, and shock environments, and report margins of safety.
Build and mesh finite element models in Ansys Mechanical.
Analyze bolted joints, fasteners, inserts, and bonded interfaces.
Support analysis of deployable structures.
Support acceptance and qualification test campaigns, including strain gauge and accelerometer placement, instrumentation plan execution, and test data reduction for model correlation.
Support hands-on assembly and integration of flight and ground test hardware.
Write technical documentation supporting hardware analysis, build, testing, and integration to meet program requirements.
Document and present technical data justifying design choices.
Liaise with fabrication shops on technical matters supporting procurement efforts.
Partner with mechanical design, opto-mechanical, thermal, electrical, and manufacturing teams to advance designs and resolve issues found in analysis and testing.