Orbex
Orbex is Europe's most exciting space company. You will be joining a team developing one of the most innovative, high-tech orbital space launch vehicles in the world, and you'll have the chance to earn an ownership stake in the company.

We are a highly motivated and focused team, and we are looking for colleagues who share our vision of creating Europe's first fully private space access company. We are looking for team members who will fit in immediately and hit the ground running.

Role
We are looking for a Principal Structural Analyst who will be responsible for leading a variety of analysis activities related to full vehicle, primary and secondary structures. This will include performing, validating and documenting structural analysis, whilst working with engineering and production teams to iterate design concepts.

You will also be expected to provide practical support to hardware prototype development and testing as required. This is a demanding role that will suit an experienced, highly organised and unflappable candidate looking for a challenging role that offers early responsibility and big rewards.

Background
You will be an experienced Structural Analysis Engineer, probably frustrated by working in a slow-moving environment that rarely gives you a chance to see your work in action.

You will be eager for a fast-paced opportunity that offers exceptional freedom and responsibility, as well as the chance to create a new European space launch vehicle. We are looking for experienced candidates who can demonstrate they get things done with a pragmatic attitude and reliable results.

Responsibilities
•Perform, validate and document structural analysis including, but not limited to, hand calculations, finite element analysis, materials selection, design trades and mass optimisation
•Perform structural dynamics analysis of full vehicle, primary and secondary structures including modal, sinusoidal, random and transient events
•Work with engineering and production teams to iterate design concepts using appropriate sizing methods to enable a ‘design by analysis’ approach, define test requirements and demonstrate positive structural analysis margins
•Develop, implement and maintain structural analysis and data management methodologies in support of both design margin tracking and verification by test
•Use and interrogate SOLIDWORKS CAD data and prepare geometry for analysis as required
•Provide practical support to hardware prototype development and testing as required

Qualifications and Skills
•Bachelor or Master’s degree in an Aerospace/Mechanical or other related Engineering field
•Proficient in the use of NASTRAN or OPTISTRUCT for linear, non-linear, thermo-elastic, buckling and dynamic finite element analysis
•Skilled in both high fidelity local analysis and global highly idealised model definition
•Proven working knowledge of aerospace composites and metallic materials, applicable failure theories and manufacturing processes
•Demonstrable ability to apply appropriate analysis and test methodologies to a wide variety of engineering problems
•Proactive and strong team player with excellent communication skills able to work with multi-disciplined and international teams
•Adaptable and able to work under pressure to tight timescales across multiple concurrent work streams

Experience (Essential)
•5+ years working experience in design and/or analysis of high reliability structures for space, aerospace, defence or motor sport applications
•Experience with SOLIDWORKS or similar CAD system with an emphasis on model interrogation and geometry preparation for analysis
•Ability to deliver work packages to time, cost and quality

Experience (Desirable)
•Working knowledge of ANSYS finite element analysis ideally including the use of non-linear materials models and multi-step analysis
•An understanding of CFD and thermal analysis and the ability to translate outputs into structural analysis inputs for strength and stiffness assessments
•Familiarity with industry standards and references (e.g. MIL-HDBK-5/17, ECSS-E-HB-32, NASA-STD-5001, GSFC-STD-7000)
•Experience of cryogenic applications
•Ability to generate bespoke analysis or post-processing data flows using scripting process (e.g. Python, Perl, VBA)

Personality
Orbex is a fast-moving company with a lot going on every single day. We are looking for colleagues who work hard, deliver reliably and put the team above themselves.

Typically, you will be:
A creative, lateral thinker
•Able to find innovative solutions to complex problems
•Flexible, dedicated, trustworthy
•Adventurous and team-oriented
•Calm under pressure

In this specific role you will need to be:
•Highly organised
•Very detail-oriented
•Judicious

Location
This role is based in Forres at Orbex’s UK engineering and manufacturing headquarters.

Orbex Forres is located at the foot of the Scottish Highlands, near Inverness. It's close to the spectacular coastline, wild beaches and amazing wildlife of the Moray Firth, as well as being a short distance from the world famous Loch Ness, and Aviemore ski resort.

If you enjoy adventurous outdoor pursuits in extraordinary natural environments, the coast and highlands around Forres offer an ideal location.

Mountaineering, rock climbing, abseiling, hiking, mountain biking, cycling, camping, sailing, surfing, motorbiking and skiing are all within easy reach of our main UK factory, and many members of our team participate in adventure sports in the vast, beautiful settings of Sutherland.

If you enjoy drone flying, wildlife or landscape photography, some of the most spectacular vistas in the world are directly at your doorstep.

Security
You must be a European citizen, from a country that is a signatory to the MTCR convention. You may be required to undergo security screening.