Head of Structures
AstroForge
Seal Beach, CA, USA
USD 180k-200k / year + Equity
Posted on Jun 20, 2025
Head of Structures
Seal Beach
Structures
In office
Full-time
Head of Structures
About the Company
At AstroForge, our mission is to make space resources accessible on Earth. We mine asteroids to extract valuable minerals in space at a lower cost and smaller carbon footprint than current terrestrial mining methods. We offer a unique opportunity to join an exciting team looking to expand humanity’s capabilities in space.
Job Description:
As the Head of Structures at AstroForge, you will lead the structural engineering team and be responsible for the integrity and performance of all spacecraft primary and secondary structures, from initial design concepts through on-orbit operations and return to Earth. You will not only own complex hardware but also drive the strategic direction of the structures discipline within the company. This role requires a strong technical background, proven leadership abilities, and a passion for mentoring and developing a high-performing team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Team Leadership, Mentorship, and Culture Building: Build, mentor, and lead a team of structural engineers, fostering a collaborative and innovative can-do environment. Provide technical guidance, career development, and performance feedback to team members.
- Project Management and Scheduling: Oversee the planning, scheduling, and execution of all structural engineering activities across multiple projects. Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
- Process Definition and Development: Establish and continuously improve structural engineering processes, standards, and best practices. Implement efficient workflows and documentation procedures to ensure consistency and quality across all projects.
- Hiring and Performance Management: Lead the recruitment and onboarding of new structural engineering talent. Define clear roles and responsibilities, set performance expectations, and conduct regular performance reviews. Manage team performance, addressing any issues proactively.
- Product Ownership: Demonstrate complete ownership of structural product outcomes at every stage of development and production.
- Hardware Lifecycle Management: Shepherd structural hardware from conceptual design, assembly, and test through high volume production and on-orbit operation.
- Design and Optimization: Develop design criteria, collaborate on system-level requirements, and drive system-level structural optimization.
- Rapid Prototyping and Iteration: Rapidly iterate on structural designs and analyses to steer overall product direction and meet evolving mission needs.
- Testing and Validation: Perform and oversee environmental and performance testing on structural hardware to validate analysis and demonstrate compliance with design criteria.
- Timeline Management: Own structural product delivery timelines through conception, design, assembly, and launch, ensuring alignment with overall project schedules.
General Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Civil Engineering with a structural focus.
- 8+ years of professional experience with mechanical/electromechanical structural design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing, with increasing levels of responsibility.
- Proven proficiency in 3D CAD (e.g., NX, SolidWorks) and advanced FEA software packages (e.g., Nastran, Ansys).
- Expert understanding and application of GD&T.
- Demonstrated deep understanding of structural analysis principles, failure modes of complex mechanical systems, and fatigue analysis.
- Extensive knowledge of and experience in selecting materials, manufacturing methods (including composites), and surface treatments for aerospace-grade structural components.
- Significant experience with design of experiments, statistical process control, and process qualification in a structural context.
- Ability to lead and manage technical teams effectively.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work onsite in Seal Beach, CA and travel as necessary.
Preferred Requirements:
- Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in a relevant engineering discipline.
- Prior experience leading a structural engineering team in the aerospace industry.
- Direct experience with the full life cycle of spacecraft structures, including launch vehicle integration and on-orbit dynamics.
- Proficiency in NX, AutoCAD, and Thermal Desktop.
- Expertise in coupled loads analysis, modal analysis, non-linear FEA, and fracture mechanics.
- Proficiency in one or more programming languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for analysis and automation.
- Experience working with cross-functional teams, including systems engineering, thermal, and mechanisms.
- Hands-on experience with structural assembly, integration, and testing of flight hardware.
Why Join Us?
At AstroForge, you’ll be at the forefront of space exploration and resource acquisition, leading the structural development for challenges that have never been tackled before. You’ll have the unique opportunity to shape the future of asteroid mining and build a world-class structural engineering team, contributing to a revolutionary industry with immense scientific, economic, and environmental potential.
Benefits
- 100% paid medical, dental, and life insurance coverage
- Vision and FSA benefits available
- 3 weeks of PTO + 1 week of sick time
- 10 paid Holidays
- Retirement savings plan – 401(k), with company match
- Equity on the ground floor of a startup
Salary
- $180,000 - $200,000
ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Government.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of 1 race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Req ID: R58