Senior Engineer, Thermal and Structural Analysis

Join ElevationSpace Europe as a founding member Driven by our vision to “Building an in-orbit transportation network to connect cargo, crew, and all orbital operations”, ElevationSpace is a startup from Japan pioneering atmospheric re-entry and recovery systems. We deliver commercial space-to-Earth transportation services alongside dual-use hypersonic flight-test platforms. ElevationSpace Europe, located in Luxembourg, is our first international subsidiary and the operational spearhead for the European space and defense markets. Building upon our capsule-based re-entry heritage developed in Japan, this entity serves as our core development center for next-generation, lifting-body dual-use solutions. We are seeking bold, entrepreneurial engineers to join as founding team members—leading technical development and building our European engineering foundation from the ground up.

About the Role
As a Senior Engineer, Thermal and Structural Analysis and a founding member of ElevationSpace Europe in Luxembourg, you will be the technical lead architecting and executing the thermo-structural design and analysis for our next-generation lifting-body platforms and dual-use hypersonic systems. In this critical role, you will take ownership of developing heat-resistant structures for the vehicle and aerodynamic fins that can withstand the extreme aerothermal and dynamic environments encountered during atmospheric entry and hypersonic flight. You will lead fluid-structure interaction (FSI) and thermo-structural analyses to evaluate thermal stress, deformation, and structural integrity, while driving the selection and detailed design of advanced high-temperature materials (e.g., ceramics, composites). Working closely with the Aerodynamics and Trajectory teams, you will establish integrated simulation models, oversee ground verification campaigns—such as high-enthalpy wind tunnel testing—and refine analytical models based on empirical data. You will also play a foundational role in building our European engineering methodologies from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities
• Lead the conceptual and detailed thermo-structural design of the vehicle and aerodynamic control surfaces (fins) subjected to extreme aerothermal heating and dynamic pressures during hypersonic flight and atmospheric entry.
• Conduct high-fidelity coupled thermal-structural analyses to evaluate transient thermal loads, thermal stresses, deformations, and fatigue/creep margins.
• Drive the selection, sizing, and performance evaluation of Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) and high-temperature structural materials, including advanced ceramics, carbon-carbon (C/C) composites, and superalloys.
• Perform linear and non-linear structural analyses using Finite Element Method (FEM) tools to assess vehicle integrity under static, dynamic (vibration, shock, acoustic), and thermal loading conditions.
• Collaborate seamlessly with the Aerodynamics and Flight Dynamics teams to integrate aerothermal databases and structural load models across the entire flight envelope for system-level trade studies.
• Spearhead the planning, test article design, and execution of ground verification testing, ranging from material characterization to subsystem-level environmental tests (e.g., high-enthalpy wind tunnel testing, thermal-vacuum, vibration).
• Perform model correlation, update, and Verification & Validation (V&V) processes using testl data acquired from ground and flight test campaigns.
• Perform design optimizations and structural risk assessments to balance mass reduction, thermal protection efficacy, and Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFMA).
• Manage technical interfaces, define requirements, and foster joint development with European partners, research institutions, and aerospace suppliers.
• Establish and automate standardized thermo-structural analysis pipelines and methodologies, adhering to rigorous configuration control and engineering best practices. Key Requirements
• 3+ years of practical experience in thermal and structural analysis of spacecraft, re-entry vehicles, or hypersonic systems within the space or aerospace sector.
• Advanced proficiency in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and thermal modeling software (e.g., ANSYS, Nastran, Abaqus, Thermal Desktop) with deep expertise in thermo-structural coupling.
• Solid knowledge of structural and thermal-resistant design under severe heat flux and aerodynamic loading environments encountered in supersonic/hypersonic regimes or atmospheric re-entry.
• A hands-on self-starter with a deep sense of ownership, eager to navigate uncertainty, execute swiftly, and tackle bold challenges in a dynamic startup environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to work seamlessly across international, multidisciplinary teams
• Fluent English communication skills Preferred Qualification
• Proven experience in the design and analysis of aerodynamic fins (actuated or fixed control surfaces) or ablative thermal protection systems (TPS) for hypersonic vehicles or atmospheric re-entry platforms.
• Hands-on experience conducting high-temperature aerothermal testing using plasma wind tunnels, arc-jet facilities, or high-enthalpy wind tunnels, including test article design, instrumentation, data reduction, and model correlation.
• Practical experience in developing, executing, and evaluating coupled fluid-thermal-structural analysis models and multidisciplinary workflows.
• In-depth knowledge and hands-on application of advanced high-temperature materials, including superalloys, carbon-carbon (C/C) composites, and ceramic matrix composites (CMCs).
• Hands-on experience across the full engineering lifecycle (from conceptual design through ground qualification and flight) for atmospheric entry or space platforms, with familiarity in aerospace standards (e.g., ECSS, NASA).