Spacecraft Structural Analyst

Spacecraft Structural Analyst Spacecraft represent the most pressing unmet need across the entire aerospace industry. As more launch vehicles come online and the cost to orbit decreases, more companies launching payloads to space continue to emerge. For the first time in history, this influx of payload companies combined with reduced launch costs has resulted in a massive increase in need for commercial spacecraft platforms, known as satellite buses. These buses hold the payloads of our customers and are flown on launch vehicles. Apex manufactures these satellite buses at scale using a combination of software, vertical integration, and hardware that is designed for manufacturing. Our spacecraft enable the future of society: ranging from earth observation to communications and more. We’d love for you to join us on our mission of providing humankind access to the galaxy beyond our planet. ABOUT THE ROLE Apex is looking for a Spacecraft Structural Analyst to own structural modeling, analysis, and validation of spacecraft hardware from early design through flight readiness. This role sits at the center of hardware development, driving structural performance across components, subsystems, and full vehicles. You’ll work closely with design, dynamics, and test teams to ensure hardware meets launch and on-orbit requirements while enabling rapid iteration. Responsibilities: - Own structural analysis across components, assemblies, and full spacecraft from initial sizing through test and validation - Develop high-fidelity finite element models and perform analyses (FEA and hand calculations) to evaluate strength, stiffness, stability, and fatigue - Define structural load cases and environments, including force-limited dynamic loads (random, sine, shock, acoustics) - Generate margins for metallic and composite structures, including joints and interfaces (bolted, bonded, etc.) - Drive design decisions and architecture through trade studies and analysis insights - Define and lead structural test campaigns, including vibration and environmental qualification - Correlate FEM models with test and flight data to improve prediction accuracy - Generate structural requirements, specifications, and ICDs for components and full spacecraft - Develop and standardize analysis methods, tools, and workflows used across the company - Partner cross-functionally with design, dynamics, manufacturing, and test to close the loop between analysis and hardware - Manage external vendors and third-party analysts to scale analysis efforts and ensure quality - Support the development of scalable test approaches and infrastructure aligned with high-rate production - Contribute to team growth through mentorship, recruiting, and technical leadership Requirements: - Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or related engineering field - 5+ years of experience as a structural analyst in spacecraft, aerospace, automotive, or similar industries - Expertise in finite element modeling and analysis (NASTRAN, FEMAP, or similar) - Experience performing trade studies to inform system and component architecture - Experience analyzing force-limited dynamic load cases (random, sine, shock) - Strong fundamentals in structural mechanics, including strength, stability, fatigue, and joint analysis - Experience calculating margins for metallic and composite structures - Proficiency with CAD tools (NX or similar) - Experience defining loads, requirements, and verification approaches across the design lifecycle - Experience leading or supporting vibration testing and structural qualification campaigns - Experience managing external analysts or vendors and planning analysis scope - Strong communication skills with the ability to present technical insights clearly Nice to have: - Master’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or related field - Experience with spacecraft or launch vehicle hardware - Experience with vibro-acoustic analysis or te ... (truncated, view full listing at source)