Senior Launch Vehicle Systems Design Engineer

CesiumAstro Inc.; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health/dental/vision

HSA

FSA

Retirement plan

Job summary

CesiumAstro Inc. is seeking a Senior Launch Vehicle Design Engineer I to lead the design, analysis, and development of launch vehicle structures and interfaces.

You will collaborate with mechanical, aerospace, and controls teams to ensure flight-ready systems and rigorous validation through testing. The role requires a strong foundation in systems engineering, hands-on hardware development, and extensive experience with CAD/FEA tools (SolidWorks, NX) and Ansys simulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 4+ years of industry experience in aerospace design and analysis.
• Proficiency in CAD tools (SolidWorks, NX).
• Strong foundation in systems engineering principles, requirements flowdown, and integration.
• Expertise in Ansys tools: Mechanical, Explicit Dynamics (LS-Dyna), Linear and Nonlinear Eigenvalue Buckling, Harmonic Response, and Random Vibrations.
• 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.

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.

Skills

Systems engineering

Analytical problem-solving

Communication skills

Mentoring/leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering

Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

Job description

CesiumAstro Inc. is seeking a Senior Launch Vehicle Design Engineer I to lead the design, analysis, and development of launch vehicle structures and interfaces.

You will collaborate with mechanical, aerospace, and controls teams to ensure flight-ready systems and rigorous validation through testing. The role requires a strong foundation in systems engineering, hands-on hardware development, and extensive experience with CAD/FEA tools (SolidWorks, NX) and Ansys simulations.