Mechanical Engineer, Composites and TPS

Space is the infrastructure layer for humanity's next industrial revolution. While reusable rockets have opened the door, true economic transformation requires orbital logistics that are as accessible and reliable as commercial aviation. At Lux Aeterna, we're building that future by developing the first fully reusable satellite platform built for reliable reentry, recovery, and rapid redeployment, transforming space from a one-way street into a two-way highway for innovation and commerce.

Space is the infrastructure layer for humanity's next industrial revolution. While reusable rockets have opened the door, true economic transformation requires orbital logistics that are as accessible and reliable as commercial aviation. At Lux Aeterna, we're building that future by developing the first fully reusable satellite platform built for reliable reentry, recovery, and rapid redeployment, transforming space from a one-way street into a two-way highway for innovation and commerce.

We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer to lead composites and thermal protection system (TPS) engineering on Lux Aeterna's reentry vehicles. Our vehicle structure and TPS systems utilize state of the art composites, metallics, ablatives, and ceramic materials.

You will be the team's authority on composites: laminate and sandwich design, how the parts are made, how they fail, and how to get flight parts from a vendor that match the drawing. You will also be responsible for the vehicle's TPS. If you have designed or built ablative or reusable TPS, we want that experience. If your background is composites and TPS is new to you, you will learn it on our vehicle and take responsibility for it.

This is a mechanical engineering role. As a small team, we don't have distinct design and analysis groups. This role is a mix between design, analysis, and build. You design composite and TPS hardware and write the processes that build it. This is a unique opportunity to:

• Be the composites expert and the TPS lead on a reusable reentry vehicle, from design through flight and refurbishment
• Build Lux Aeterna's composites and TPS process specifications, material data, and test history early in the company's life
• Work hands-on with flight hardware, in our shop and at our vendors
• Work with the mechanical, aerothermal, and thermal engineers and with technical leadership on the decisions that shape the vehicle

• Pioneering Technology: We're developing the first reusable satellite platform with controlled return capability, fundamentally transforming space from a one-way journey to a two-way highway
• Real Impact: Your work will enable new industries in space manufacturing, research, and logistics while pioneering sustainable space infrastructure
• Speed & Autonomy: We maintain parallel hardware development streams and empower engineers to innovate rapidly while upholding rigorous aerospace standards
• World-Class Team: Work alongside experts from leading aerospace companies and research institutions, building technology that will reshape humanity's access to space

You'll lead composites and TPS engineering on the vehicle, including:

• Designing composite structure and TPS: laminate and sandwich design, inserts, bonded joints, TPS layout, attachment, seams, and closeouts
• Producing fabrication-ready drawings and statements of work for composite parts and TPS
• Writing process specifications for layup and cure, structural adhesive bonding, TPS bonding, and nondestructive inspection
• Selecting materials and building design allowables: coupon test plans, test vendors, and test results
• Managing TPS vendors, and supporting composite vendors, from quote through first article, including tooling, cure, inspection, and rework
• Supp…