Structures Engineer

Cambrian Space; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity stake

Stock options

Health benefits

Relocation assistance

PTO

Job summary

Cambrian Space is seeking a Structures Engineer to lead design, analysis, testing, and manufacturing of structural components for a human-rated lunar habitat. You will serve as SME for all structural systems in the Greater Los Angeles area and collaborate across teams to enable safe, reliable hardware for in-space operations.

Requirements include 3+ years of mechanical design and CAD experience (NX, SolidWorks), 1+ year of engineering leadership, a Bachelor’s in engineering (or equivalent with 2

Qualifications

• 3+ years of mechanical design and drafting experience (incl. internships or projects).
• 3+ years of experience with 3D CAD software (NX, SolidWorks, etc.).
• 1+ years of experience leading an engineering team.

Responsibilities

• Lead structural design, analysis, and testing for lunar habitat components.
• Serve as SME across all structural systems.
• Develop, qualify, and refine manufacturing processes.
• Drive DFMA, resolve non-conformances, and upgrade equipment.
• Lead engineering reviews and own project timelines end-to-end.

Skills

Mechanical design

3D CAD (NX/SolidWorks)

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

Job description

Requisition Number: 10210

Time Commitment: Extended hours and occasional weekends as needed

Employment Type: Full Time/Salaried/Exempt

Anticipated Salary Range: $95,000 – $175,000

Security Clearance: ITAR Compliance

Level of Experience: Entry/Early Career/Mid/Senior

Who We Are

Cambrian Space is building a human-rated lunar habitat platform to enable a sustained human presence on the Moon and the lunar industrial economy that will follow.

Our habitats are built around life. We engineer the conditions people take for granted on Earth (breathable air, stable pressure, controlled temperature and humidity) and make them dependable in one of the harshest environments humans have ever tried to live in.

An economy beyond Earth depends on people being able to stay there. We’re building the infrastructure that makes that possible, starting on the Moon.

Visit cambrianspace.com to learn more about Cambrian Space.

About The Role

As a Structures Engineer, you will work with the engineering team that is responsible for designing, building, and certifying all structural components of a human-rated lunar habitat. Your design work and assembly instructions will adhere to the highest rigor possible in order to sustain human life on the Moon. You will have the opportunity to lead your team and collaborate across partner teams on the lunar habitat platform.

You will be the subject matter expert on all structural components and their production in the Greater Los Angeles area. This includes engineering support for design and manufacturing. You will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop novel solutions at the cutting edge of space technology. This role involves the design, analysis, testing, and manufacturing of structural system elements. You will work with other engineers to support these goals and have the opportunity to contribute to the technology that will support life on other planets.

What You’ll Own

• Design & Analysis
  • Lead structural design, analysis, and testing for human-rated lunar habitat components.
  • Serve as SME across all structural systems.
• Manufacturing & Production
  • Develop, qualify, and refine manufacturing processes.
  • Drive DFMA, resolve non-conformances, and execute capital equipment upgrades.
• Leadership & Delivery
  • Lead your engineering team and design reviews.
  • Own project timelines from concept through launch and in-space operations.
• Cross-Functional Integration
  • Partner with avionics, software, mission ops, suppliers, and customers to ensure seamless integration.

Minimum Qualifications

Degree Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline OR High School Diploma or equivalent and 2 years of relevant experience

Experience

• 3+ years of mechanical design and drafting experience (including internships or personal projects)
• 3+ years of experience with 3D CAD software (NX, SolidWorks, etc.)
• 1+ years of experience leading an engineering team

Security

• ITAR Requirements: To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Travel

Little required (<10%), but there may be opportunities for travel if interested

Commitment

• Must be able to work extended hours and occasional weekends as needed

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Master's degree in mechanical, materials, or aerospace engineering
• 3+ years of leadership experience, either leading people or multidisciplinary complex projects.
• Prior experience working in human-rated space flight systems
• Hands‑on experience working in project teams designing hardware in a highly constrained system under defined timelines
• Familiarity with welded/bolted structures, composites, and fluid systems
• Ability to manage large assembly models and drawings
• Experience with design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA)
• Experience transitioning complex products from R&D to rate manufacturing in a fast-paced environment
• Experience writing work instructions and procedures for critical aerospace hardware
• Solid understanding and application of GD&T and tolerance stack‑ups
• Ability to work and communicate well in an integrated team including daily interactions with technicians, engineers, and leadership
• Creative problem solver that can bring multiple disciplines together to achieve buy‑in for a unified design direction
• Self‑motivated with strong multi‑tasking, organizational, communication, documentation and rigorous attention to detail skills
• Familiarity with test procedures and non‑destructive evaluation of structural components
• Experience with validation testing for structures
• Mechanical component and/or tooling design analysis experience using 3D CAD software

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer or lab bench
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 – 50 lbs without assistance
• Manual dexterity and fine motor skills for tasks such as soldering, connector mating, probing circuits, and handling small electronic components

Why Join as a Founding Team Member

• Direct access to founders and leadership – no layers!
• Ownership of systems end-to-end, from concept to flight
• Shape the engineering culture, processes, and tools
• Work on hardware that will support human life on the Moon
• Equity stake with real upside as we grow

Other Benefits

Salary is just one part of your total rewards package! You may also be eligible for:

• Long-Term Incentives – company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards
• Discretionary Bonuses – potential annual performance-based bonuses
• Comprehensive Health Benefits – medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid Time Off (PTO) – vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays
• Relocation Assistance – available for qualified candidates
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – eligible employees can enroll and contribute to a 401(k) plan through the company

The salary range listed reflects what Cambrian Space reasonably expects to pay for this role, based on its location, expectations, and responsibilities. When extending an offer, we consider a variety of factors, including but not limited to the role’s function and the candidate’s education or training, work experience, and key skills.

Cambrian Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Employment with Cambrian Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualification and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

Compensation

The base pay range for this role is $95,000 – $175,000 per year.