Job Description

Your Mission

Conduct in-depth structural analysis for critical rocket structures, components and assemblies, ensuring our vehicle withstands the demanding environment of sub-orbital and orbital flights. You will leverage advanced simulation tools, rigorous hand calculations, and close collaboration with propulsion and design engineers to optimize structural configurations and confirm all load margins.

How You Will Make An Impact

• Establish and Validate Flight Loads: Work with propulsion and flight software teams to define dynamic and quasi-static loads. Translate these into boundary conditions and load cases for your analysis
• Perform Advanced Structural Simulations: Use finite element analysis and hand-calculation methods to predict stress distributions, potential failure modes, and allowable margins for vehicle primary and secondary structures, tanks, or other major components
• Optimize Mechanical Design: Provide actionable feedback to design engineers on thicknesses, materials, and geometric features, aiming to maximize reliability while minimizing mass and complexity
• Inform and Interpret Test Data: Recommend instrumentation setups for static and dynamic structural tests, then correlate measured test data with your analytical models to refine future predictions
• Document and Communicate Results: Present concise, data-driven summaries of structural risks and recommended design solutions, ensuring all stakeholders have a clear path to flight readiness
• Drive Resolution: Investigate design changes or anomalies that impact loads, root out the cause, and lead corrective actions to keep flight milestones on track

What You Bring to the Team

• 7+ years of experience in structural analysis in the aerospace industry
• A bachelor’s or master’s in mechanical, aerospace, or a closely related engineering discipline
• Proven proficiency in advanced FEA (ANSYS preferred) handling various nonlinearities (large deformation, material, contact, etc.)
• Deep knowledge of continuum mechanics and stress analysis
• Familiar with aerospace materials (aluminum alloys, steels, composites)
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, capable of guiding the team through design decisions and driving buy-in across multiple stakeholders

Bonus Points

• A proven track record of production flight hardware builds, from concept to test and flight
• Experience in non-linear, thermo-mechanical or multi-physics simulations
• Composite materials and cryogenic tank design experience
• Experience in topology optimization

Compensation

Salary Range: $110,000 - $155,000

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The estimated salary range for this role reflects various compensation factors. The final offer depends on factors such as work experience, education, training, key skills, and business needs. In addition, LEAP provides a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, which includes:

• Equity Program: As an early team member, LEAP’s equity plan gives you a stake in the company’s success, aligning your contributions with long-term growth.
• ​ Retirement Planning: Save for the future with a 401(k) plan that includes competitive company matching.
• Growth Opportunities: Take advantage of a professional development stipend to advance your skills and expertise.
• Flexible Time Off: Enjoy PTO as needed and holiday breaks to help you balance work and life, including two week long company winter breaks and paid leave to support a family member, bond with a new child, or manage your own health needs
• Remote Work Flexibility: Our team operates on a hybrid model. We expect you to work with your team for specific details on work location.
• Health Benefits: LEAP provides comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage at minimal to no cost for employees. Coverage for dependents and HSA are also available.
• Insurance Coverage: We cover basic life and long-term disability insurance, with options to add extra coverage to ensure peace of mind for you and your family.

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LEAP is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace in Colorado. Our team brings together exceptionally talented and diverse individuals who are pushing the boundaries of space access and logistics. We welcome all qualified applicants and provide equal consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. This includes individuals with a criminal history, in compliance with applicable regulations. We actively encourage applications from minorities, women, Veterans, and people with disabilities. At LEAP, we strive to create a supportive and welcoming environment throughout the hiring process. If you’re excited about making a real-world impact in space technology, we want to hear from you!

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