Rippling
Overview
Orbit Fab's mission is to create the foundational infrastructure that will fuel a bustling in-space economy, capable of sustaining permanent jobs in space. Today, satellites cannot be refueled, which severely constrains their mobility and inhibits the development of economic activities in space.
Orbit Fab breaks the single-use paradigm, pioneering our Gas Stations in Space™ refueling infrastructure and RAFTI™ technology to deliver propellant in space, enabling lower-cost satellite construction, increased maneuverability, precise control, and extended lifespans. The possibilities are unprecedented, opening the doors to unimagined operational strategies and business models.
Since our establishment in 2018, we have already achieved the successful launch of three tankers to space. With offices in both the US and UK, we are working in close collaboration with partners and customers across the space industry. Orbit Fab is rapidly ramping up capabilities and requires exceptional talent to tackle important challenges. Our roles offer wide ranging opportunities to have a demonstrable impact and enable a bustling space economy.
Position Overview We are seeking an experienced
Senior Mechanical Engineer
to lead the structural analysis, design, and optimization of spacecraft and high-performance aerospace systems. In this role, you will take technical ownership of complex space mechanism and spacecraft assemblies from concept through production and operation, ensuring structural integrity and mission success in demanding launch and on-orbit environments.
Responsibilities
Perform detailed
structural static and dynamic analyses
of spacecraft and aerospace hardware, including flight and ground support systems.
Develop, validate, and maintain
high-fidelity finite element models (FEMs) to predict structural performance under static, dynamic, acoustic, shock, and thermal environments.
Plan, execute, and correlate
environmental test campaigns (vibration, modal, and shock), comparing analytical and test data to verify design margins.
Own subsystem structural design and analysis
through all lifecycle phases — concept, design, test, and integration — ensuring cross-functional alignment with design, propulsion, electrical, manufacturing, and test teams.
Develop
automated data-processing and analysis workflow
using tools such as Python, MATLAB, or VBA to improve efficiency and consistency.
Document analysis methodologies and results, prepare test and verification reports, and present findings to internal teams, leadership, and customers.
Mentor junior engineers
and contribute to team development, analysis best practices, and process improvement initiatives.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in
Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering discipline .
5+ years
of experience performing structural analysis for spacecraft, launch vehicles, or high-reliability aerospace systems.
Proficiency in finite element analysis tools such as
ANSYS, NASTRAN,
or similar.
Experience with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks) for design work and integration with FEMs.
Strong understanding of
structural mechanics , vibration, shock, and material properties.
Experience with
environmental test planning, execution, and model correlation .
Proficiency in
data analysis and scripting tools
(Python, MATLAB, or VBA).
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across disciplines.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in
Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering .
10+ years
of experience in spacecraft or launch vehicle structural dynamics and verification.
Expertise in
fracture mechanics, nonlinear FEM, fatigue, and bolted joint analysis .
Hands-on experience with
test instrumentation
(accelerometers, strain gauges, DAQ systems).
Familiarity with
classical structural analysis methods
(Bruhn, Niu, Roark, NASA-STD methods).
Proven
technical leadership or mentorship
of structural analysis teams or projects.
Why Join Us You’ll be part of a team developing next-generation spacecraft and aerospace systems where analytical rigor, hands-on testing, and creative problem solving directly impact mission success.
This position offers significant technical ownership, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the opportunity to shape engineering best practices within a growing organization.
This position is a hybrid work model, requiring time both in our Lafayette, CO office and remotely.
Location and Benefits Orbit Fab is based out of Lafayette, Colorado and all roles are based in Colorado. We offer fully covered benefits, discretionary time off, and flexible work hours.
Some job roles may be limited to US Persons (22 CFR 120.62 “U.S. person”).
Orbit Fab Inc does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
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Orbit Fab breaks the single-use paradigm, pioneering our Gas Stations in Space™ refueling infrastructure and RAFTI™ technology to deliver propellant in space, enabling lower-cost satellite construction, increased maneuverability, precise control, and extended lifespans. The possibilities are unprecedented, opening the doors to unimagined operational strategies and business models.
Since our establishment in 2018, we have already achieved the successful launch of three tankers to space. With offices in both the US and UK, we are working in close collaboration with partners and customers across the space industry. Orbit Fab is rapidly ramping up capabilities and requires exceptional talent to tackle important challenges. Our roles offer wide ranging opportunities to have a demonstrable impact and enable a bustling space economy.
Position Overview We are seeking an experienced
Senior Mechanical Engineer
to lead the structural analysis, design, and optimization of spacecraft and high-performance aerospace systems. In this role, you will take technical ownership of complex space mechanism and spacecraft assemblies from concept through production and operation, ensuring structural integrity and mission success in demanding launch and on-orbit environments.
Responsibilities
Perform detailed
structural static and dynamic analyses
of spacecraft and aerospace hardware, including flight and ground support systems.
Develop, validate, and maintain
high-fidelity finite element models (FEMs) to predict structural performance under static, dynamic, acoustic, shock, and thermal environments.
Plan, execute, and correlate
environmental test campaigns (vibration, modal, and shock), comparing analytical and test data to verify design margins.
Own subsystem structural design and analysis
through all lifecycle phases — concept, design, test, and integration — ensuring cross-functional alignment with design, propulsion, electrical, manufacturing, and test teams.
Develop
automated data-processing and analysis workflow
using tools such as Python, MATLAB, or VBA to improve efficiency and consistency.
Document analysis methodologies and results, prepare test and verification reports, and present findings to internal teams, leadership, and customers.
Mentor junior engineers
and contribute to team development, analysis best practices, and process improvement initiatives.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in
Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering discipline .
5+ years
of experience performing structural analysis for spacecraft, launch vehicles, or high-reliability aerospace systems.
Proficiency in finite element analysis tools such as
ANSYS, NASTRAN,
or similar.
Experience with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks) for design work and integration with FEMs.
Strong understanding of
structural mechanics , vibration, shock, and material properties.
Experience with
environmental test planning, execution, and model correlation .
Proficiency in
data analysis and scripting tools
(Python, MATLAB, or VBA).
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across disciplines.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in
Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering .
10+ years
of experience in spacecraft or launch vehicle structural dynamics and verification.
Expertise in
fracture mechanics, nonlinear FEM, fatigue, and bolted joint analysis .
Hands-on experience with
test instrumentation
(accelerometers, strain gauges, DAQ systems).
Familiarity with
classical structural analysis methods
(Bruhn, Niu, Roark, NASA-STD methods).
Proven
technical leadership or mentorship
of structural analysis teams or projects.
Why Join Us You’ll be part of a team developing next-generation spacecraft and aerospace systems where analytical rigor, hands-on testing, and creative problem solving directly impact mission success.
This position offers significant technical ownership, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the opportunity to shape engineering best practices within a growing organization.
This position is a hybrid work model, requiring time both in our Lafayette, CO office and remotely.
Location and Benefits Orbit Fab is based out of Lafayette, Colorado and all roles are based in Colorado. We offer fully covered benefits, discretionary time off, and flexible work hours.
Some job roles may be limited to US Persons (22 CFR 120.62 “U.S. person”).
Orbit Fab Inc does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
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