Senior Mechanical Engineer – Structures

Senior Mechanical Engineer – StructuresLos Angeles$180k–$225k Base + BenefitsCertus Recruitment is partnering with an advanced aerospace business developing next-generation re-entry systems and seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer (Structures) to play a critical role in the development of its Carryall re-entry vehicle.This is a genuinely high-impact opportunity for an experienced structural engineer who has owned complete flight vehicle structures from concept through build, testing, and flight. The successful candidate will act as the structural architect for the full vehicle, taking responsibility for structural integrity across launch, orbital operations, atmospheric re-entry, and landing.This is not a narrow subsystem role. The business is looking for someone capable of operating at full-vehicle level, balancing structural performance, manufacturability, integration, testing, and operational realities across an extreme mission profile.The role will sit at the center of vehicle development, partnering closely with thermal, manufacturing, recovery, and systems teams to help deliver a flight-ready platform.Key responsibilities include:Owning the structural architecture of the complete re-entry vehicleLeading structural design activities from early trade studies through detailed design, integration, testing, and flight readinessDefining primary load-bearing structures, TPS interfaces, payload bay structures, and secondary structural systemsPerforming and approving high-fidelity structural analysis using FEA tools including NASTRAN and ANSYSDesigning for extreme environments including launch loads, orbital vacuum, hypersonic re-entry, vibration, shock, and landing conditionsDriving structural integration across thermal protection systems, atmospheric recovery, and manufacturing functionsCreating and approving manufacturing drawings with advanced GD&T standards (ASME Y14.5)Leading structural test campaigns including static load, vibration, deployment, and qualification testingWorking closely with fabrication, composites, machining, and manufacturing partners to ensure quality and delivery standards are achievedThe ideal candidate will bring:10+ years of structural engineering experience within spacecraft, launch vehicles, hypersonics, or re-entry systemsProven experience taking full flight vehicle structures through concept, build, test, and flightDeep expertise across structural analysis, FEA, and flight hardware developmentStrong experience with CAD and engineering tools including SolidWorks, NX, CATIA, NASTRAN, and ANSYSExpertise in GD&T and manufacturing-ready engineering documentationExperience working with advanced aerospace materials including titanium, aluminum, and carbon fiber compositesA highly hands-on and technically rigorous engineering mindsetWhat makes this opportunity particularly compelling is the level of ownership attached to the role. This individual will help define the structural backbone of a highly ambitious aerospace platform within a fast-moving engineering environment tackling genuinely difficult technical problems.Compensation & Benefits:$180k–$225k base salaryLos AngelesOpportunity to work on cutting-edge re-entry and spaceflight technologyHigh-impact technical ownership and visibilityCollaborative, mission-driven engineering cultureStrong long-term growth potential within an ambitious aerospace programThis is an outstanding opportunity for a senior aerospace structures engineer seeking end-to-end ownership, deep technical challenges, and the chance to help shape the future of advanced flight systems.Certus Recruitment is a well-established and experienced specialist consultancy providing sales, marketing, and IT recruitment services. We serve the technology sector across the UK, Europe, North America, and Australia.