Structures Design Engineer

The MissionSpace is the infrastructure layer for humanity’s next industrial revolution. While reusable rockets have opened the door, true economic transformation requires orbital logistics that is as accessible and reliable as commercial aviation. At Lux Aeterna, we’re building that future by developing the first fully reusable satellite platform built for reliable reentry, recovery, and rapid redeployment, transforming space from a one-way street into a two-way highway for innovation and commerceThe OpportunityWe are seeking a Structures Engineer to take end-to-end ownership of spacecraft hardware — not just its design, but its performance in flight and its readiness to fly again.This role exists to produce real vehicles that survive launch, orbit, return, refurbishment, and re-flight. You are responsible for making the hardware work in the real world, under real constraints, on real schedules. Analysis, documentation, and drawings exist to support that goal — not replace it.You will deliver lightweight, reusable spacecraft hardware capable of repeated missions at high cadence. The job spans structures, mechanisms, tooling, fixtures, integration hardware, and whatever else is required to make the vehicle succeed as a system. This role requires end-to-end hardware ownership of your components or subsystem.This is a unique opportunity to:Own spacecraft hardware from first sketch to post-flight inspection and re-launchDesign flight structures, mechanisms, fixtures, and ground hardware required to operate a reusable spacecraftDebug real failures and close the loop through redesign and iterationParticipate directly in build, test, flight operations, and refurbishmentWork in a rapid hardware development environment where decisions quickly become flight articles The RoleYou are the responsible engineer for hardware that flies. When the vehicle is on the pad, in space, or back in the build area, you own how your hardware behaves.Responsibilities include:Designing and delivering primary and secondary structures, mechanisms, and supporting hardware required for flight and refurbishmentManaging trade studies, developing supplier strategy, and ownership of design/build/deploy schedule, milestones, and blockers.Owning hardware through manufacturing, assembly, integration, test, flight, recovery, inspection, and re-flightCreating tooling, fixtures, handling equipment, and GSE necessary to build and operate the spacecraftDefining load paths, margins, and structural behavior using analysis as a decision tool, not an end productLeading build and integration activities and resolving real-time issuesDefining and executing qualification and acceptance testingInvestigating anomalies and implementing corrective design changesManaging interfaces across the vehicle and ensuring mission-level compatibilityWorking directly with launch providers and internal teams to certify flight readinessIterating hardware based on test and flight data to improve reliability and turnaround time Required QualificationsBS in Mechanical or Structural Engineering5-8 years developing flight or flight-like hardware with direct responsibility for performanceHands-on experience building, integrating, and troubleshooting mechanical systemsDemonstrated ownership of hardware through test or flight operationsStrong intuition for structural behavior and mechanical systems under real loading conditionsWorking FEA proficiency to support engineering judgement (FEMAP or ANSYS)Strong GD&T capability (ASME Y14.5)Proficiency in 3D CAD (Siemens NX preferred)Experience selecting materials and manufacturing processes for high-performance hardwareAbility to operate effectively in fast build-test-iterate environments Desired ExperienceExperience with reusable flight systems or hardware refurbishmentMechanisms, deployment systems, or moving flight hardwareDesigning tooling and production fixturesComposite structures and repairReentry, thermal, or fatigue-driven structural environmentsSMC-S-016 and/or NASA GEVS environmentsEarly stage hardware startup experienceWe are based in Denver, CO and believe in the power of in-person collaboration. We are onsite 5 days/week by default, but flexible when life requires it.Certain roles may involve access to export-controlled technical data. To comply with U.S. export-control laws, access may be limited to individuals who qualify as a “U.S. person” under 22 C.F.R. §120.62 or who otherwise may lawfully receive such access.