Spacecraft Structures Analyst

About the role Muon seeks an experienced and passionate spacecraft structural analyst to join our team. The ideal candidate has unwavering attention to detail and a total ownership mindset to help the team develop robust hardware which meets requirements on time. Being an early-stage startup with a small team, breadth is extremely important and we expect this person go far beyond running finite elements analyses. Ability to dive into structural test data, dynamics, inform risk vs. cost decisions, supplier interaction and everything else associated with the full lifecycle of a spacecraft and optical payload development is critical. Leadership is also a key attribute we seek for this role. Muon’s team will be growing rapidly over time and there will be opportunities for both direct-management and indirect (tutoring, mentoring). This role is located at our headquarters in San Jose, California. Responsibilities Full lifecycle ownership of structures from quick-and-dirty early analysis for conceptual design to detailed finite element modeling to test support: Find solutions in line with the risk posture of the company and programs, suggesting alternatives to traditional approaches and specifying the risks associated with those options Make economically sound choices for the company while understanding the path to constellations. Find solutions balancing the need to quickly demonstrate capability with the need to deploy systems at scale (make vs buy trades, etc) Create quick concepts and models that can be used to discuss and spur inspiration on the team in early phases of programs. Establish engineering standards and tools for others on the team to help instill a culture of rigor and analysis in all aspects of mechanical design Define and drive mechanical/structural validation and test approach (establish factors of safety, identify no-test margins, design dynamics and static load tests, pre-test response predictions, coordinate with test venues and direct tests on-site, etc) Qualifications B.S. or higher degree in an engineering field, preferably Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering Exceptional attention to detail and critical thinking Extensive experience running detailed finite element analyses for aerospace systems (FEMAP, ANSYS) Experience designing and executing structural tests for spacecraft Extensive experience as an individual contributor structural analyst Software skills in one or more of Python, Matlab, Julia, C, C++, Fortran or similar Excellent communication, presentation, coordination skills curiosity Dedication to drawing conclusions on the most important factors and data Excited to work in a fast-paced environment with new opportunities each week A desire to change the way the world understands and reacts to climate and environmental data Travel occasionally required to execute tests on-site with environmental test vendors Nice-to-have Skills Familiarity with force limiting principles Mechanical design Spacecraft design Instrument design Electronic Instrumentation experience (DAQ, signal processing, etc) Salary The salary range for this role is $150,000 - $175,000 and will depend on a candidate's skills, geographic location, qualifications, and experience as defined during the interview process. About Muon Space Founded in 2021, Muon Space is an end-to-end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations delivering mission-critical data. Our revolutionary, integrated technology stack enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time-to-orbit and superior constellation remote sensing performance. Our state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and rapid, flexible payload integration at scale. From climate monitoring to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world. Taking Care of Our Team At Muon ... (truncated, view full listing at source)