Resolve spacecraft dynamics problems through analysis, test, and model correlation.
Develop and maintain finite element models for spacecraft structures, mechanisms, deployable solar arrays, deployable radiators, and related hardware.
Perform dynamic analyses for launch, transportation, deployment, and on-orbit operational environments.
Analyze vibration, shock, acoustic, transient, modal, and forcing-function environments.
Support stress, fatigue, stability, and margin analyses where needed to improve spacecraft reliability.
Own dynamic testing from start to finish, including pre-test analysis, test planning, sensor selection, instrumentation, setup, execution, data processing, and post-test reporting.
Plan and execute vibration, modal, shock, and other environmental tests for spacecraft hardware.
Correlate test results with analytical models and update models as needed.
Define qualification and acceptance test approaches for flight hardware.
Produce clear test reports, analysis documentation, and recommendations for design improvements. Tooling and Cross-Functional Engineering
Build scripts, analysis pipelines, databases, and internal tools to improve speed and quality of dynamics work.
Support trades across mass, stiffness, manufacturability, cost, schedule, reliability, and performance.
Collaborate with manufacturing, integration, and test teams to ensure hardware is designed for efficient build and qualification.
Requirements
Contribute to fast design iteration for large lightweight deployable spacecraft structures. Basic
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline. 4+ years of
experience in dynamics, structural analysis, mechanical testing, or hands-on aerospace hardware development. •
Experience analyzing test data, building hardware, or supporting mechanical qualification of flight or launch vehicle systems.
Strong analytical fundamentals in vibrations, structural dynamics, mechanics, and frequency-domain analysis. •
Experience with finite element modeling or structural analysis tools. Preferred
Master’s or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline. •
Experience with vibration, modal, acoustic, or shock testing. •
Experience with Ansys, NX, or similar analysis and tools. •
Working knowledge of strength, stability, fatigue, and failure mechanisms. •
Experience with spacecraft, launch vehicle, satellite, or deployable space structures. •
Experience with large lightweight structures, deployable solar arrays, deployable radiators, or spacecraft mechanisms.
Benefits
Ability to work independently in a fast-moving hardware development environment. Compensation and Benefits
Starcloud offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including:
Stock options, discretionary bonuses, and other long-term incentives.
Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
401(k) retirement plan with company match.
Short- and long-term disability insurance. Life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Generous paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
Actual compensation will be determined based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, experience, and level. Additional Requirements:
Additional details
Starcloud is building a network of data centers in space, starting at kilowatts and scaling to gigawatt capacity.
Falling launch costs allow us to take advantage of the abundant energy, radiative cooling techniques, and ability to rapidly scale in space.
Join our team, push the boundaries of the space economy, and be part of this pioneering effort to redefine the future of energy. Position Overview
This role is highly hands-on and spans analysis, test planning, hardware instrumentation, test execution, data processing, and model correlation.
You will work closely with mechanical, mechanisms, structures, thermal, avionics, and integration teams to ensure Starcloud’s space-based data centers can survive launch, deploy reliably, and operate safely in orbit.
The ideal candidate has strong intuition in the frequency domain, solid analytical and software skills, and a bias toward building, testing, and iterating quickly. Key
Responsibilities Loads, Dynamics, and Structural Analysis
Use commercial and in-house tools to perform analysis, and develop new tools where existing methods are insufficient. Testing and Validation
Process and interpret test data using signal processing techniques.
Work with design engineers to identify and resolve structural or dynamic risks early in the design cycle.