Senior Structural Analysis Engineer – Deployable Spacecraft

Opterus; Loveland (CO); Hybrid; USD 98,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid work schedule

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Opterus, an innovative aerospace company in Loveland, Colorado, seeks a Structural Analysis Engineer II/III to shape system architecture and develop scalable analytical solutions. You will run advanced FEA, collaborate across engineering teams, and drive design decisions for deployable space structures using cutting-edge composite technologies.

The role requires strong FEA experience, programming knowledge (Python/MATLAB), and familiarity with composite laminates; a hybrid work schedule is

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Structural, Mechanical, Civil, Aerospace, or related engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in structural design and analysis, preferably with precision spacecraft structures or deployables.
• Proficiency with structural analysis and design software (Abaqus preferred).
• Programming knowledge for advanced analysis (Python, MATLAB, etc.).
• Knowledge of composite structures, laminate theory, and failure analysis.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and analysis of composite, metallic, and hybrid structures for deployable space systems.
• Develop and execute advanced finite element models for spaceflight structures, including nonlinear and dynamic behavior.
• Build and run FEA and classical analysis models to evaluate strength, stiffness, dynamics, and environmental performance.
• Develop and manage pointing/shape error budgets for precision structures considering thermal and dynamic effects.
• Support the design and analysis of mechanical deployment systems.
• Assist in developing structural verification plans and correlating analysis to test data.
• Participate in material selection, laminate design, and structure configuration decisions.
• Generate load cases for launch, on-orbit, and deployment environments.
• Perform structural sizing, margin calculations, and mass efficiency assessments.
• Collaborate with design and test teams to interpret results and iterate designs.
• Contribute technical content for proposals and customer discussions.

Skills

Structural analysis

Independent problem solving

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Structural/Mechanical/Aerospace engineering

Tools

Abaqus

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Opterus, an innovative aerospace company in Loveland, Colorado, seeks a Structural Analysis Engineer II/III to shape system architecture and develop scalable analytical solutions. You will run advanced FEA, collaborate across engineering teams, and drive design decisions for deployable space structures using cutting-edge composite technologies.

The role requires strong FEA experience, programming knowledge (Python/MATLAB), and familiarity with composite laminates; a hybrid work schedule is