Structures Lead

Responsibilities

• Own the primary airframe including propellant tanks, interstages, and thrust structure from concept through flight
• Drive structural design for minimum mass while meeting strength, stiffness, fatigue, and thermal requirements
• Lead structural analysis using classical hand methods and FEA including static strength, buckling, and fatigue
• Define structural load cases and coordinate coupled loads, acoustic, vibration, and shock environments
• Drive material and process trades involving metallic alloys, weld methods, and composites
• Define and execute structural test campaigns and correlate results with analytical predictions
• Work with manufacturing to resolve build issues and identify failure modes through rapid design-test-learn cycles
• Mentor and technically guide a team of engineers and establish analysis standards

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related engineering field
• 8+ years of experience in structural design, analysis, and hands-on build of flight hardware
• Mastery of classical stress analysis including static strength, buckling, and fatigue
• Strong understanding of load paths, structural sizing, and material selection
• Proficiency with FEA software such as Nastran, Abaqus, or ANSYS
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with launch vehicles or reusable flight systems
• Familiarity with tank-specific structures and qualification of weld processes
• Familiarity with cryogenic structures and high-temperature environments
• Understanding of structural dynamics and response to launch environments
• Experience with damage tolerance and fracture mechanics
• Knowledge of structural verification standards like MMPDS or NASA-STD-5001

Benefits

• Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid time off and 10 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Relocation assistance
• Daily lunch and fully stocked kitchen