New offer - be the first one to apply!
June 25, 2026
Mechanical Engineer (Loads and Dynamics)
Senior • On-site
129,996 - 200,004 USD/yr
Redmond, WA
Company Overview
Starcloud is building a network of data centers in space, starting at kilowatts and scaling to gigawatt capacity. Falling launch costs enable the use of abundant energy, radiative cooling techniques, and rapid scaling in space.
Position Overview
As a Loads and Dynamics Engineer, you will be responsible for low- and high-frequency loads, vibration, shock, and dynamic environments for spacecraft during ground transportation, launch, deployment, and on-orbit operations.
This highly hands-on role spans analysis, test planning, hardware instrumentation, test execution, data processing, and model correlation. You will collaborate with mechanical, structures, thermal, avionics, and integration teams to ensure spacecraft survive launch, deploy reliably, and operate safely in orbit.
Key Responsibilities
Loads, Dynamics, and Structural Analysis
- 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 environments.
- Analyze vibration, shock, acoustic, transient, modal, and forcing-function environments.
- Support stress, fatigue, stability, and margin analyses to improve reliability.
- Use commercial and in-house tools and develop new tools when needed.
Testing and Validation
- Own dynamic testing end-to-end, including planning, instrumentation, execution, data processing, and reporting.
- Plan and execute vibration, modal, shock, and environmental tests.
- Process and interpret test data using signal processing techniques.
- Correlate test results with analytical models and update models as needed.
- Define qualification and acceptance test approaches for flight hardware.
- Produce clear test reports and design improvement recommendations.
Tooling and Cross-Functional Engineering
- Build scripts, analysis pipelines, databases, and internal tools.
- Identify and resolve structural or dynamic risks early in design.
- Support trades across mass, stiffness, manufacturability, cost, schedule, reliability, and performance.
- Collaborate with manufacturing, integration, and test teams.
- Contribute to rapid iteration of large lightweight deployable spacecraft structures.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or related discipline.
- 4+ years of experience in dynamics, structural analysis, mechanical testing, or aerospace hardware development.
- Experience analyzing test data and supporting mechanical qualification of flight or launch systems.
- Strong fundamentals in vibrations, structural dynamics, mechanics, and frequency-domain analysis.
- Experience with finite element modeling or structural analysis tools.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s or PhD in a relevant technical field.
- Experience with vibration, modal, acoustic, or shock testing.
- Experience with Ansys, NX, or similar tools.
- Experience building and validating finite element models.
- Knowledge of strength, stability, fatigue, and failure mechanisms.
- Experience with spacecraft, launch vehicles, satellites, or deployable structures.
- Strong software skills for automation, data processing, and tool development.
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced hardware environment.
Compensation and Benefits
Annual salary: $130,000 - $200,000
- Stock options and discretionary bonuses.
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
- 401(k) plan with company match.
- Short- and long-term disability insurance.
- Life insurance.
- Paid parental leave.
- Generous paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
Actual compensation is based on knowledge, skills, education, experience, and level.
Additional Requirements
- Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
- U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or eligibility under U.S. export regulations.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Starcloud provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to legally protected status. Applicants requiring accommodation during the application or interview process should notify Human Resources.
Similar jobs you might like