At Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), we have one clear goal: to create low-cost, flexible, and reliable access to space. We specialize in building small launch vehicles designed to deploy satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and beyond. Together with you, we aim to revolutionize space services and help improve life on Earth. Sounds interesting? Then join our journey and become part of the team driving the New Space movement in Europe.
About the Team
Our international and agile team is looking for support from a motivated person as a Structural & Thermal FEA Engineer where you will be part of the analytical backbone of our propulsion program. You'll work across the full engine — combustion chambers, nozzles, turbopumps, manifolds, valves, and structural interfaces — developing high-fidelity models that directly drive design decisions and hardware qualification. In this position you will have exposure to many of the engine systems, and you will have ownership of the analysis that will shape our parts. You'll collaborate daily with design, manufacturing, and test teams, and your analysis will directly inform what we build, how it looks, how we test it, and how it will fly.Do you want to revolutionize space travel in New Space? Then you've come to the right place.
Your Tasks
Perform structural and thermal FEA on liquid rocket engine components and subsystems — combustion chamber, nozzle, turbopump, injector head, manifolds, and engine-level integration
Conduct engine-level system loads analysis and coupled thermo-structural simulations, ensuring design margins are met across all operating conditions
Lead durability assessments including thermal and pressure low cycle fatigue (LCF), high cycle fatigue (HCF), creep, and thermomechanical fatigue for components subjected to extreme temperature gradients and temperature and pressure cycling
Develop, validate, and anchor FEA models against test data (hot-fire, hydrostatic, vibration) — identifying discrepancies and driving model improvements
Support design iterations by providing clear, data-driven recommendations on geometry, material selection, and manufacturing tolerances
Evaluate failure modes and contribute to root cause analysis and corrective actions following test anomalies. Produce and maintain analysis reports, FEA documentation, and material at design reviews (PDR, CDR, QR)
Develop tools and scripting workflows to automate repetitive analysis tasks and improve team throughput. Support integration, acceptance testing, and launch operations as the thermo-structural subject-matter expert.
Your Qualifications
2 years of FEA experience on liquid rocket engines or closely related propulsion hardware.
Proficiency in ANSYS Mechanical (Workbench / APDL) or equivalent (Abaqus, NASTRAN).
Strong theoretical grounding in solid mechanics, heat transfer, and material behaviour at elevated temperatures and cryogenic conditions.
Experience with thermal and pressure LCF analysis methodologies.
Ability to interpret and correlate models against physical test data.
BSc or MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent.
Clear technical communication, able to present analysis results and risk posture to a mixed audience.
Experience with ANSYS Thermal Desktop, SIMCenter, or CFD-FEA multiphysics simulations
Scripting skills for automation: Python, MATLAB, or APDL macros Fracture mechanics / damage tolerance assessment (LEFM, NASGRO or equivalent)
Experience with nCode, fe-safe, or similar fatigue post processing tools
Exposure to turbomachinery analysis (rotordynamics, Campbell diagrams)
Familiarity with high temperature alloy
We offer
Atmosphere: Experience life in an international & dynamic New Space start-up
Flexibility: Fit your working schedule to your needs with flexible working hours
Home Office: Full-time employees benefit from 1 day per week home office
Health: Sweat, stretch or squat it out with EGYM Wellpass
Paid Time Off: 30 days annual leave and special leave days
RFA Family: Join regular company and team events
Parking: Free parking for car and bike
Insights
Ready to take the next step?
Join RFA and help build one of Europe’s most efficient launch systems. Work alongside 300+ colleagues from over 40 countries and take ownership from day one.
If you’re looking to grow, take responsibility, and contribute to making space more accessible, we’d love to hear from you.
🚀 Apply now!We look forward to receiving your application in German or English.
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