Structural Analyst II

Quantum Space; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Medical, dental, vision

Generous leave

HSA

401(k) matching

Job summary

Quantum Space is seeking a Structural Analyst II to join our team in Rockville, MD. You will perform structural analyses, build high-fidelity FEMs, and support decisions balancing performance, weight, and manufacturability for next-generation spacecraft.

You will collaborate with mechanical, propulsion, avionics, GNC, and thermal teams to ensure structural readiness across lifecycles, from concept to flight. A 2+ year background in aerospace structure and CAD-to-FEM workflows is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Structural Engineering.
• 2+ years in spacecraft structural analysis.
• Experience with FEA tools such as NASTRAN, FEMAP, ANSYS, or Abaqus.
• Experience building FEM from CAD assemblies (Creo, SolidWorks, NX).
• Experience analyzing launch/dynamic environments (vibration, shock, acoustic).
• Experience supporting structural testing and model correlation.
• Knowledge of aerospace materials, joints, fasteners, lightweight design.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across teams.

Responsibilities

• Conduct structural analysis and assist in spacecraft design.
• Develop and maintain FEMs for launch and on-orbit environments.
• Support structural testing campaigns (vibration, acoustic, shock, static).
• Correlate FEM results with test data and update models.
• Collaborate with mechanical, propulsion, avionics, GNC, and thermal teams.

Skills

FEA tools (NASTRAN, FEMAP, ANSYS, AbaA

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Structural Engineering

Tools

NASTRAN

FEMAP

ANSYS

Abaqus

Creo

SolidWorks

NX

NASGRO

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking a skilled and motivated spacecraft Structural Analyst II to support the design, analysis, and development of structural systems for our next-generation spacecraft platforms. In this role, you will contribute to ensuring spacecraft structural integrity throughout the full development lifecycle, from early concept and detailed design through hardware testing, verification, and flight readiness. You will perform structural analyses, develop high-fidelity finite element models, and support engineering decisions that balance structural performance, mass efficiency, and manufacturability.

You will play a critical role in ensuring the reliability and performance of mission-critical spacecraft structures while collaborating closely with mechanical, propulsion, avionics, guidance, navigation and control (GNC), thermal, and systems engineering teams. This position is ideal for an engineer with strong analytical and structural modeling skills who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys solving complex technical challenges, and is passionate about developing reliable spacecraft systems that support mission success.

Where You'll Make an Impact

Structural Design & Analysis

• Conduct structural analysis and assist in design efforts for spacecraft primary and secondary structures
• Perform detailed analyses including static, modal, vibration, shock, acoustic, and thermal-structural coupling
• Develop finite element models to evaluate structural margins across launch and on-orbit environments

Structural Modeling & Simulation

• Build and maintain spacecraft finite element models (FEM) using tools such as NASTRAN, FEMAP, ANSYS, or equivalent
• Generate analysis-ready models from CAD assemblies (Creo or similar) and ensure consistency between design and analysis configurations
• Support structural testing campaigns including vibration, acoustic, shock, and static load testing
• Correlate FEM results with test data and update models to improve predictive capability

Cross-Functional Integration

• Collaborate closely with mechanical, propulsion, avionics, GNC, and thermal teams to ensure structural compatibility across spacecraft systems
• Participate in design reviews, technical discussions, and program milestones to ensure structural readiness

What It Takes

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Structural Engineering
• 2+ years of experience performing structural analysis for spacecraft, launch vehicles, or comparable aerospace hardware
• Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) tools such as NASTRAN, FEMAP, ANSYS, Abaqus, or similar
• Experience building structural models directly from CAD assemblies (Creo, SolidWorks, NX, or equivalent)
• Experience analyzing launch and dynamic environments, including sine/random vibration, shock, and acoustic loads
• Experience supporting structural testing and model correlation using real hardware test data
• Knowledge of aerospace structural materials, joints, fasteners, and lightweight structural design techniques
• Ability to operate independently while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience with spacecraft structural environments and mission loads
• Familiarity with composite structures, thin-walled pressure vessels, or propulsion system structures
• Experience supporting environmental test campaigns, including instrumentation and fixture design
• Familiarity with Python or MATLAB for analysis automation or post-processing
• Experience with fracture mechanics tools such as NASGRO
• Familiarity with aerospace structural standards such as NASA-STD-5001, SMC-S-016, or MIL-STD-1540
• Experience working in a fast-paced startup or rapid development environment

What You'll Get

• Ownership – Responsibility for spacecraft structural design and analysis across flight programs
• Innovation – Hands-on involvement in developing next-generation high-mobility spacecraft platforms
• Impact – Your work will directly influence spacecraft flight readiness and mission success
• Growth – Opportunities to shape structural engineering practices within a rapidly growing space company
• Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

This position requires working on-site at our office in Rockville, MD.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in an confidential file.

As set forth in Quantum Space's Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.