Principal Launch Vehicle Design Engineer II
Company: CesiumAstro
Location: El Segundo
Posted on: February 13, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Description Job Description Please Note: To conform with the
United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the
applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the
U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected
individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to
obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of
State. At CesiumAstro , we are developers and pioneers of
out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch
vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in
our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us
to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are
looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro
is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate,
collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join
our team. We are looking to add a Principal Launch Vehicle Design
Engineer II to our team. If you enjoy working in a startup
environment, and have expertise in the structural and thermal
design of launch vehicle (LV) components and systems, including
tanks, fairings, and related hardware, we would like to hear from
you In this position, you serve as a subject matter expert,
overseeing subsystem development from concept through flight, while
ensuring compliance with performance, safety, and reliability
requirements. This role requires both deep technical expertise and
the ability to guide and mentor engineering teams within a
fast-paced start-up environment. The ideal candidate will have a
strong background in FEA and thermal simulations, combined with
hands-on experience in experimental development and testing of
high-performance aerospace systems. This role involves close
collaboration with an international R&D team to optimize
performance and reliability of LV hardware. JOB DUTIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES Lead the design, analysis, and development of
primary and secondary launch vehicle structures, stage interfaces,
and payload accommodations. Perform static and transient structural
and thermal analysis of LV components and systems to ensure
mechanical integrity under operational loads. Develop and execute
test programs, analyze experimental data, and apply findings to
optimize designs. Prepare CAD models for FEA analysis and
manufacturing. Generate technical documentation, including reports,
specifications, and contributions to PDRs and CDRs. Collaborate
across mechanical, aerospace, and controls engineering teams to
deliver flight-ready systems. Mentor junior and senior engineers to
build technical understanding and professional development.
Participate in mission operations, anomaly investigations, and
continuous improvement initiatives. JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM
QUALIFICATIONS Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace
Engineering, or a related field. 11 years of industry experience in
aerospace design and analysis. Expertise in Ansys tools:
Mechanical, Explicit Dynamics (LS-Dyna), Linear and Nonlinear
Eigenvalue Buckling, Harmonic Response, and Random Vibrations.
Proficiency in MATLAB for programming, data analysis, and
optimization. Proficiency in CAD tools (SolidWorks, NX). Strong
foundation in systems engineering principles, requirements
flowdown, and integration. Hands-on experience with hardware
development, testing, and qualification. Strong analytical and
problem-solving skills with close attention to detail. Excellent
written and verbal communication skills. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE Prior
experience with cryogenic systems, liquid rocket systems, and LV
components. Hands-on experience designing and improving LV
hardware. Knowledge of manufacturing and technological processes
for aerospace parts. Familiarity with aerospace safety and
reliability practices. Experience in a start-up or rapid
development environment. CesiumAstro considers several factors when
extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and
associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience,
education/training, and key skills. Full-time employment offers
include company stock options and a generous benefits package
including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and
retirement plans. CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All
qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment
without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic
protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Please note:
CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract
agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our
website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property
of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral
fees. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support
parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications,
analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our
recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring
decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more
information about how your data is processed, please contact
us.
Keywords: CesiumAstro, Tustin , Principal Launch Vehicle Design Engineer II, Engineering , El Segundo, California
