The posting
At Orbital Paradigm, we design, develop, manufacture, and operate reusable orbital logistics systems. Our spacecraft perform multiple orbital mission profiles and return safely to Earth through hypersonic atmospheric reentry and landing with pinpoint accuracy for rapid refurbishment and reuse.
Role Description
We are looking for a Structural Analysis Engineer to join our mechanical engineering team and support the design, analysis, verification, and qualification of spacecraft structures and mechanical systems.
The role focuses on structural analysis, finite element modelling, static and dynamic loads, vibration, fatigue, buckling, thermo-mechanical effects, and verification of flight hardware. The engineer will work closely with mechanical design, systems, thermal, manufacturing, and AIT teams to ensure that spacecraft structures meet mission, performance, manufacturability, and qualification requirements.
This is a hands-on engineering role requiring strong analytical capability, practical understanding of hardware development, and the ability to translate analysis results into robust design decisions.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform structural analysis and verification of spacecraft structures, mechanisms, and mechanical components.
- Develop, maintain, and validate finite element models for flight hardware and test configurations.
- Perform static, dynamic, modal, vibration, fatigue, buckling, and thermo-mechanical analyses.
- Define and assess structural load cases for launch, reentry, landing, handling, and test conditions.
- Support structural sizing, margin of safety calculations, and design trade-offs.
- Work with mechanical design engineers to improve structural performance, manufacturability, and mass efficiency.
- Support environmental and qualification testing, including vibration, shock, static load, and thermal-related campaigns.
- Correlate analysis models with test results and update assumptions, models, and margins accordingly.
- Prepare and maintain analysis reports, verification documentation, load summaries, and technical review material.
- Support non-conformance investigations, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions related to structural hardware.
- Interface with suppliers, manufacturing partners, and test facilities on structural requirements and verification activities.
- Contribute to design reviews, test readiness reviews, and qualification reviews.
Required Qualifications
- 1–5 years of relevant professional experience in aerospace, automotive, or other high-performance industries.
- Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Demonstrated practical experience with spacecraft structures, aerospace structures, or mechanically demanding flight or high-performance systems.
- Strong understanding of structural mechanics, materials, load paths, stiffness, strength, fatigue, buckling, and vibration.
- Experience with finite element analysis for aerospace or high-performance mechanical hardware.
- Experience performing static, modal, vibration, fatigue, buckling, or thermo-mechanical analyses.
- Proficiency with structural analysis tools such as Nastran, Patran, HyperMesh, Abaqus, ANSYS, FEMAP, or equivalent.
- Ability to define assumptions, boundary conditions, load cases, and analysis methodologies clearly.
- Understanding of mechanical design, manufacturing processes, tolerancing, materials, and structural interfaces.
- Experience with spacecraft mechanical and environmental qualification, including vibration, shock, static load, thermal, and thermal-vacuum test campaigns.
- Ability to write clear technical documentation, analysis reports, verification reports, and review material.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work hands-on with design, manufacturing, integration, and testing teams.
- Familiarity with structural margins, verification control documents, and qualification logic for flight hardware.
- Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Full proficiency in English, written and spoken.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience designing satellite structures, subsystems, or complex electromechanical systems
- Familiarity with aerospace industry standards such as ECSS, NASA, or MIL
- Hands-on experience with manufacturing processes (machining, composites, additive manufacturing).
- Basic proficiency with one or more programming languages such as Python and MATLAB.
- Experience in a startup or small-company environment with fast design iterations.
- Experience with launch vehicle, spacecraft, satellite, reentry vehicle, or aircraft structures.
- Experience with model correlation, test-analysis correlation, or qualification by analysis.
- Familiarity with composites, metallic structures, bonded joints, fastened joints, inserts, and lightweight structural design.
- Experience with CAD tools and close collaboration with mechanical design teams.
- Good proficiency in Spanish
What We Value
- Excellence in technical work, execution, and professional conduct
- Strong ownership mindset, with the ability to drive activities to clear outcomes through accountability, proactivity, and resourcefulness
- Clear, efficient, direct, and constructive communication
- Team-first attitude with low ego and strong cross-functional collaboration
What We Offer
- Location: Madrid, Spain (office-first)
- Flexible hybrid work (2 days/week from home + 2 fully remote weeks/year)
- 30 vacation days (23 flexible, +7 during holidays).
- Salary depending on experience and profile
- Relocation package depending on seniority and profile
- Flexible compensation (meal vouchers, health insurance, public transport)
- Company shares plan
