Structural Engineer - Solar Arrays (f/m/d)

About the role

Space hardware must survive launch before it can perform its mission. Your analyses and tests will prove that it can.

As Structural Engineer - Solar Arrays (f/m/d) , you will verify the structures and mechanisms that enable Dcubed's solar arrays to survive launch and deploy successfully in orbit. Through a combination of advanced simulation, first-principles engineering, and hands‑on testing, you will turn ambitious designs into flight‑ready hardware.

If you enjoy understanding the physics behind complex systems, challenging assumptions, and validating your work through testing, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural analyses of solar arrays, deployable structures, mechanisms, and hold‑down and release systems.
• Develop and validate FEM models for static, dynamic, thermoelastic, buckling, and non‑linear analyses.
• Size composite and metallic structures, bonded joints, bolted interfaces, and inserts, and calculate structural margins of safety.
• Use analytical calculations and engineering judgement to cross‑check simulation results and verify model assumptions.
• Support the design of lightweight structures and mechanisms capable of surviving launch loads and deploying successfully in orbit.
• Define and lead structural test campaigns, including vibration, static load, deployment, and thermal testing.
• Define loads, instrumentation, notching approaches, test predictions, and pass/fail criteria.
• Participate in test execution, investigate anomalies, correlate models, and support verification closure.
• Build and test coupons, prototypes, and representative hardware to generate material data and validate analytical models.
• Prepare structural analyses, test reports, and verification documentation, and support internal and customer reviews.

Candidate Requirements

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in structural analysis and testing of aerospace, space, or other high‑performance structures.
• Experience taking hardware from analysis through testing and verification.
• Experience with composite structures, deployable systems, mechanisms, or spacecraft hardware is highly desirable.

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of structural mechanics, dynamics, vibration, and load‑path analysis.
• Advanced FEM knowledge and strong experience with FEMAP and Nastran NX.
• Experience with Ansys and LS‑Dyna is considered an advantage.
• Experience performing static, modal, random vibration, transient, buckling, thermoelastic, and non‑linear analyses.
• Experience sizing composite and metallic structures, bolted joints, inserts, and bonded interfaces.
• Ability to assess structural margins and independently verify simulation results using first‑principles calculations.
• Experience defining and executing structural test campaigns, including instrumentation, notching, and model correlation.
• Python, MATLAB, or similar tools for engineering calculations and data analysis.
• Familiarity with ECSS, NASA, or equivalent aerospace structural standards.

Personal Attributes

• Analytical, rigorous, and driven to understand the physics behind the results.
• Strong sense of ownership from analysis through successful test execution.
• Hands‑on mindset with a willingness to prototype, instrument, and test hardware.
• Excellent problem‑solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Effective communicator and team player in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced startup environment.
• Excellent English language skills.
• Eligibility to work in Germany

What we offer

We want you to feel welcome and have the best possible tools for your work here at Dcubed. Therefore, we have selected a set of benefits to support your work days and everyday life, today and longer term.

• Commute: Deutschlandticket
• Wellbeing: EGYM Wellpass, recovery toolkit
• ETF‑based pension program offering 30‑50% company contribution
• Modern work equipment, based on your role and needs: laptop, phone, headphones, electric desk, wide screens, state‑of‑the‑art workshop equipment
• Office environment: kitchen and break areas; lunch offering, beverages & snacks at the office; small exercise area, Space Bar
• Work‑life balance & activities: hybrid work arrangements (location and working hours), company events and trips, launch parties
• Professional development: 70‑20‑10 thinking, training budget, training library, regular performance reviews
• Company swag: hoodie, t‑shirt, stickers, water bottle, notebook etc.