Structural Engineer - Solar Arrays (f/m/d)

About the role

Space hardware must survive launch before it can perform its mission. Your analyses and tests will prove that it can.

As Structural Engineer - Solar Arrays (f/m/d) , you will verify the structures and mechanisms that enable Dcubed's solar arrays to survive launch and deploy successfully in orbit. Through a combination of advanced simulation, first-principles engineering, and hands-on testing, you will turn ambitious designs into flight-ready hardware.

If you enjoy understanding the physics behind complex systems, challenging assumptions, and validating your work through testing, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

- Perform structural analyses of solar arrays, deployable structures, mechanisms, and hold-down and release systems.
- Develop and validate FEM models for static, dynamic, thermoelastic, buckling, and non-linear analyses.
- Size composite and metallic structures, bonded joints, bolted interfaces, and inserts, and calculate structural margins of safety.
- Use analytical calculations and engineering judgement to cross-check simulation results and verify model assumptions.
- Support the design of lightweight structures and mechanisms capable of surviving launch loads and deploying successfully in orbit.
- Define and lead structural test campaigns, including vibration, static load, deployment, and thermal testing.
- Define loads, instrumentation, notching approaches, test predictions, and pass/fail criteria.
- Participate in test execution, investigate anomalies, correlate models, and support verification closure.
- Build and test coupons, prototypes, and representative hardware to generate material data and validate analytical models.
- Prepare structural analyses, test reports, and verification documentation, and support internal and customer reviews.

Candidate Requirements

Experience & Qualifications

- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related discipline.
- 3+ years of experience in structural analysis and testing of aerospace, space, or other high-performance structures.
- Experience taking hardware from analysis through testing and verification.
- Experience with composite structures, deployable systems, mechanisms, or spacecraft hardware is highly desirable.

Technical Skills

- Strong understanding of structural mechanics, dynamics, vibration, and load-path analysis.
- Advanced FEM knowledge and strong experience with FEMAP and Nastran NX.
- Experience with Ansys and LS-Dyna is considered an advantage.
- Experience performing static, modal, random vibration, transient, buckling, thermoelastic, and non-linear analyses.
- Experience sizing composite and metallic structures, bolted joints, inserts, and bonded interfaces.
- Ability to assess structural margins and independently verify simulation results using first-principles calculations.
- Experience defining and executing structural test campaigns, including instrumentation, notching, and model correlation.
- Python, MATLAB, or similar tools for engineering calculations and data analysis.
- Familiarity with ECSS, NASA, or equivalent aerospace structural standards.

Personal Attributes

- Analytical, rigorous, and driven to understand the physics behind the results.
- Strong sense of ownership from analysis through successful test execution.
- Hands-on mindset with a willingness to prototype, instrument, and test hardware.
- Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
- Effective communicator and team player in a multidisciplinary environment.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment.
- Excellent English language skills.
- Eligibility to work in Germany