Senior Structures Engineer

venusaero; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Stock options

Medical benefits (dental & vision)

Flex-Friday schedule

Unlimited PTO

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Venus Aerospace seeks a Senior Structures Engineer to independently own structural design and analysis of major aerospace components, coordinating with GNC, propulsion, and systems teams. You will contribute across the hardware lifecycle, from concept through qualification, mentoring junior engineers along the way.

You will work in a fast-paced startup environment, with on-site Houston operations or remote options within the U.S., and you’ll help define internal standards and processes while

Qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
• 5+ years of relevant engineering experience.
• Proficiency in CAD (NX/CATIA) and/or structural analysis (NASTRAN/ANSYS).
• Working familiarity with collaboration between design and analysis.
• First-principles calculations and hand calculations.
• Familiarity with fatigue analysis methods.
• Strong communication and teamwork.
• U.S. Person eligible for ITAR programs.

Responsibilities

• Independently complete structural design/analysis of major aerospace components or assemblies.
• Perform strength assessments via hand calcs and FEA (NASTRAN/ANSYS), fatigue, buckling, stability.
• Own CAD models in NX/CATIA, including large assemblies and release processes.
• Define loads in coordination with GNC, propulsion, avionics, and systems teams.
• Support structural test campaigns and contribute to flight qualification plans.
• Develop internal processes, standards, and documentation for the growing team.
• Mentor engineers through technical guidance and design reviews.

Skills

CAD NX/CATIA

FEA (NASTRAN/ANSYS)

Hand calculations

Fatigue analysis

Structural loads definition with GNC/R

TeamCenter, Dassault systems, Jira,Con

5+ years experience

Education

B.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

TeamCenter

Dassault systems

Jira

Confluence

Job description

Who We Are: Venus Aerospace is revolutionizing rocket engine propulsion. With the first generational leap in rocket engine technology since Apollo, our proprietary Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine and Venus Detonation Ramjets deliver historic efficiency and performance across aerospace applications. We are building the next generation of propulsion platforms that enable breakthrough capabilities in space, defense, and commercial high-speed flight. Our team thrives on solving the toughest engineering challenges and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in aerospace. At Venus, we’re looking for bold engineers and innovators who want to make history and redefine the future of propulsion.

The Role: Senior Structures Engineer

Venus Aerospace is expanding its Structures department to support the development of advance aerospace vehicles. We are seeking a Senior Aerospace Structures Engineer to independently own structural design and/or analysis of components and assemblies while helping establish and grow our engineering team. This highly interdisciplinary role offers opportunities to contribute across the full hardware development lifecycle, from preliminary design and detailed engineering through manufacturing support, structural testing, and qualification. You will collaborate closely with other engineering teams, help establish internal processes and standards, and mentor developing engineers. As part of a growing startup, you should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities and willingness to take on a variety of technical challenges.

What You'll Get To Do

• Independently complete structural design and/or analysis of major aerospace components or assemblies
• Perform general strength assessments via hand calcs and FEA (NASTRAN/ANSYS), fatigue, buckling, and stability
• Own CAD models in NX/CATIA, including large assemblies and release processes
• Define loads in coordination with GNC, propulsion, avionics, and systems teams
• Support structural test campaigns and contribute to flight qualification plans
• Develop internal processes, standards, and documentation for the growing team
• Mentor developing engineers through technical guidance, design reviews, and knowledge sharing.
• Proficiency with major engineering software tools such as TeamCenter, Dassault systems, Jira, Confluence for configuration control and program collaboration
• Contribute to a collaborative, communicative team culture - strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills are essential

What You Have

• B.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering
• 5+ years of relevant engineering experience
• Demonstrated proficiency in structural design with CAD (NX/CATIA), structural analysis (NASTRAN/ANSYS), or both
• Working familiarity with the complementary discipline and ability to collaborate effectively between design and analysis
• Demonstrated proficiency in hand calculations and first-principles analysis
• Familiarity with fatigue analysis methods and principles
• Strong communication, collaboration, and team-building skills
• U.S. Person eligible to work on ITAR-restricted programs

What Will Set You Apart

• Experience developing random vibration environments
• Experience designing for manufacturability and producibility
• Experience developing structural loads, including coupled loads analysis
• Working knowledge of material behavior, structural stability, joint analysis, damage tolerance, and vibration
• Experience creating or contributing to engineering standards and internal procedures
• Background in multi-stage rockets, aircraft, or spacecraft
• Flight qualification and structural test experience
• Familiarity with TeamCenter, Dassault systems software, Jira, and Confluence

Location: On-site at our Houston, TX headquarters, or remote within the United States. Remote team members should expect approximately three weeks of travel per year, with additional trips possible for hardware or operational support needs.

Benefits: Venus Aerospace employee benefits include a 401(k) plan, stock options, and medical benefits, including dental and vision. We have a flex-Friday flexible schedule, unlimited PTO, and receive professional development opportunities.

ITAR Requirements

This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be able to meet ITAR requirements (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State). You can learn more about ITAR here.

Venus Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation, please email [e-mail] or call [phone].This email and phone number were created exclusively to assist job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Messages or any other purposes, such as following up on an application, third party staffing agencies, website technical issues, or any other issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response. Messages will be returned within five business days.

For additional information about our Equal Opportunity Employment Policy, please visit our EEOP page.