Structures Design & Analysis Engineer (Launchpad)
Diseño e ingenieria
PLD Space HQ - Elche
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About PLD Space 

PLD Space is an international space services company with in-house engineering and manufacturing. It is dedicated to transporting satellites and humans into space, vertically integrating engineering, testing, manufacturing and operations of its reusable and sustainable rockets. Headquartered in Elche (Spain) and founded in 2011 by Raúl Torres and Raúl Verdú, PLD Space has established itself as a global benchmark in the space launcher sector. Its MIURA family of launchers and its LINCE manned capsule position the company as a leader in European technological sovereignty in space transportation, covering the full range of space missions.  

With a team of more than 450 employees and 350 million in total funding, PLD Space also has the largest private test benches in Europe, located in Teruel (Spain), and operates one launch base in the Guiana Space Centre (CSG), in Kourou (French Guiana). In total, it has more than 188,000m2 of own industrial infrastructures. 

Teamwork, courage, determination and ambition enable PLD Space to guarantee an autonomous, independent satellite space access capability, based on reliability at a globally competitive price. The company is able to offer best-in-class launch services to commercial satellite operators, institutions, space agencies and national and international governmental entities. 

Mission 

As part of launch complex team, you will be responsible for the Design of launch pads structures.  

In addition, it will play a crucial role in the validation testing, definition of manufacturing processes and mounting operations, ensuring the quality of our launch pads structures. 

Responsibilities 

  • Design metallic structures for launch pads sites (different size range of machined components, beams, sheet metal parts, welded structures). 
  • Achieve stress justification for new designs by using hand calcs and FEA methods for composites and metals. 
  • Perform random, sine and modal dynamic analyses. 
  • Generation of Engineering documentation such as 3D models, Drawings, BOMs, structural calculation report, manuals and technical reports. 
  • Liaise with others Engineering areas (hydraulic system, Fluid, mechanism, etc.) and provide information to Manufacturing and mounting area under request.  
  • Accomplish with Sub-System requirements along the entire lifecycle from prototype, testing and production. 
  • Support the supply chain department in purchases of designed elements and subsystems, ensuring compliance with requirements, specifications, delivery time and cost. 

 

Necessary Requirements 

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical or industrial engineering. 
  • Minimum 3 years of experience in a similar position. 
  • Proficiency in 3D design software (Solidworks, Solid Edge, NX , Catia or Inventor) 
  • Proficiency in FEM software (Cype Cad, Solidworks, Ansys, Altair, etc) 
  • Knowledge in application of design criteria and selection of materials according to their mechanical properties, according to the loading conditions, working environment, etc. 
  • Familiar with manufacturing technologies (machining, sheet metal forming, welding), and assembly’s processes 
  • Knowledge of the most common corrosion prevention rules and surface protection.  
  • Proven in the development of products from the concept design through to the production and delivery of assembly. 
  • Knowledge in application of design criteria and selection of materials according to their mechanical properties, according to the loading conditions, working environment, etc. 
  • Able to work autonomously with little supervision 
  • Availability to travel occasionally.  
  • Fluent written and oral communication in Spanish. 

 

Desired Requirements 

  • Master’s degree in mechanical engineering 
  • 5 years of experience in a similar position. 
  • Knowledge of Siemens NX & Teamcenter 
  • Experience in the aerospace industry is a plus 
  • Demonstrated experience in design of structures and industrial machinery 
  • Familiarity with industry standards (DIN, ISO). 
  • Familiarity with mechanical design and manufacturing processes. 
  • Soft skills such as effective communication with stakeholders, ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and share ideas.  
  • High level of English. 

 

Benefits 

Health & Wellness 

  • Physiotherapy within our facilities 
  • 50% discount on your health insurance 
  • You can sign-up your family members with health insurance at a competitive price. 
  • Healthy snacks and lots of fruit 

Find balance 

  • 23 days of paid vacation plus December 24th and 31st  
  • Flexible work schedule 

Never stop learning 

  • We encourage practical learning 
  • We promote professional development through internal mobility and teamwork 

Focus on your financial future 

  • Childcare flexible contributions  
  • Restaurant tickets  
  • Transport flexible contributions  
  • Training support  

Values 

We have five critical beliefs that guide the way PLD Space is shaping the future of space launch technologies. 

  • Teamwork 
  • Hard work 
  • Dynamism 
  • Commitment 
  • Keep it simple 

Join us to reinvent how rockets are built! 


Funding has been received from the Betica Business Expansion Corporation (FCR), co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), for the project "MIURA 1 Launches at INTA and R&D&I Developments in Andalusia." This project aims to promote technological development, innovation, and high-quality research.
Promote research, technological development and innovation
MIURA 1 launches at INTA and R&D development in Andalusia