Benefits

Pulled from the full job description

Full job description

Description

ExoTerra is a world leader in solar electric propulsion systems and space exploration satellites. The company develops Hall Thrusters, propulsion modules, microsatellites and launch vehicle upper stages. We have been awarded multiple propulsion module and satellite contracts.

Job Summary

The Lead Structural, Thermal, and Dynamics Engineer is ExoTerra’s senior technical authority supporting all mechanical environments and analysis disciplines, including stress analysis, thermal analysis, and dynamic environments analysis. This is a high-level technical lead role responsible for setting analytical best practices, and ensuring the accuracy and rigor of analysis across propulsion and spacecraft programs.

This person will work alongside the Engineering Analysis Manager, serving as the “go‑to” expert for complex problems, high‑visibility customer deliverables, and major design decisions. While this person will not manage people, they will mentor engineers, guide analysis approaches, and drive technical consistency across the team.

Responsibilities and Duties

Technical Expertise & Guidance

· Serve as the senior subject‑matter expert in stress analysis, thermal analysis, and dynamic environments analysis for propulsion systems and flight hardware.

· Provide comprehensive technical direction on structural modeling/analysis, thermal modeling/analysis, and vibrations/shock analysis.

· Approve or advise on high‑risk or high‑complexity analyses, assumptions, and conclusions.

· Support major design trades and provide analytical insight to influence architecture, materials, interfaces, and system configuration.

· Support root-cause investigations for structural, thermal, or dynamic anomalies.

Cross‑Discipline Support

· Work directly with Structural, Thermal, and Dynamics Engineers to review models, troubleshoot issues, and ensure technical excellence for customer deliverables.

· Act as a technical escalation point for edge-case analyses, anomalies, and verification challenges.

· Support integration between Analysis teams and Mechanical, Propulsion, Systems, and Test Engineering groups.

Program & Systems-Level Support

· Partner with Systems Engineering to define structural, thermal, and environments requirements for propulsion assemblies, electric thrusters, power processing units, and spaceflight hardware.

· Provide expert-level input at program design reviews (PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR).

Testing & Correlation

· Support planning, execution, and data review of environmental testing (vibration, shock, thermal), including advising on test methods, instrumentation, and boundary conditions.

· Provide technical support of model correlation efforts.

Technical Documentation & Review

· Develop and review customer required reports, requirements documents, and qualification/acceptance deliverables.

· Ensure analytical work supports customer specifications, launch provider requirements, and aerospace standards.

Mentorship & Technical Development

· Mentor junior and mid‑level engineers in analysis methods, modeling best practices, and engineering judgment.

· Conduct technical reviews and help grow overall team capability.

· Contribute to internal training materials, tools, and process improvements.

Required Qualifications and Skills

· Experience with propulsion systems (Hall thrusters, propellant systems, PPUs) and overall spacecraft design.

· Familiarity with NASA, ESA, MIL‑STD, and launch provider mechanical/thermal environments.

· Understanding of advanced manufacturing, composites, and thermal control hardware.

· Experience creating modeling standards, templates, and automated workflows.

· Recognized technical expert with proven flight hardware experience.

· Advanced proficiency in analysis tools (FEMAP, Nastran, Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, MATLAB/Python).

· Strong understanding of launch and space environments (vibration, shock, acoustic, thermal).

· Demonstrated experience leading complex designs through analysis, qualification, and acceptance.

· Exceptional communication and documentation skills.

· Experienced team player and collaborative problem solver.

Experience

· 15+ years of experience in aerospace structural, thermal, and dynamic environments analysis.

Education:

· Post graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering, or related discipline.

Pay: TBD

(Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.)

ExoTerra Resource Corp, LLC is a drug-free workplace and an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status or any other protected factor. ExoTerra Resource Corp is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Full time

Pay: $162,000.00 - $208,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Doctorate (Required)

Location:

• Littleton, CO 80127 (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Littleton, CO 80127 (Required)

Work Location: In person