Space Composite Structure Engineer

About GalaxEye

GalaxEye is building the world's first OptoSAR LEO Earth observation satellites that combine multispectral optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging on a single platform, delivering all-weather, day-and-night imagery to governments, infrastructure enterprises, and geospatial analytics companies. We design our payloads and satellites in-house, from telescope to bus.

The Role

You'll own the composite structures that keep our electro-optical payloads stable in orbit: telescope structures, optical benches, baffles, and payload-to-bus interfaces, along with composite elements of the satellite structure. In an optical payload, a few microns of thermal distortion can ruin image quality, so your work directly determines what our satellites can see. You'll take parts from concept through analysis, manufacturing with our vendors, and qualification testing.

Responsibilities:

• Design composite structures (CFRP laminates, sandwich panels, tubes, bonded joints, inserts) for optical payloads and spacecraft, with dimensional and thermo-elastic stability as primary drivers
• Define laminate layups, materials, and processes to meet stiffness, strength, CTE, mass, and outgassing requirements
• Perform structural and thermo-elastic analysis (static, modal, random vibration, sine, shock, thermal distortion) and work with the optical and thermal teams to close the structural-thermal-optical loop
• Manage manufacturing with composites vendors: tooling, layup, cure, machining, bonding, and inspection, including NDT
• Plan and support qualification and acceptance testing (vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, thermal cycling) and correlate analysis to test results
• Write design documentation, manufacturing and inspection procedures, and analysis reports for design reviews

Requirements:

• B.E./B.Tech/M.Tech/MS in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent
• 5-8 years designing and analysing composite structures, ideally for space, aerospace, or defence hardware
• Strong grasp of laminate theory, composite failure criteria, and design of bonded joints and inserts
• Hands-on experience with FEA tools (e.g. NASTRAN/Patran, Ansys ACP, HyperMesh, Abaqus) and CAD
• Experience taking composite parts through manufacturing, not just design and analysis
• Familiarity with space environment requirements: outgassing (ASTM E595), moisture effects on dimensional stability, and thermal cycling
• Proven history of managing complex, interdisciplinary manufacturing processes

Nice to Have

• Experience in building composite structures for optical instruments or other high-stability applications
• Experience with high-modulus fibres (e.g. M55J) and near-zero-CTE layups
• Exposure to ECSS or NASA structural standards and qualification test campaigns
• Background with ISRO programmes or Indian space-qualified vendors

Benefits

• Fair compensation will be provided as per market standards
• Experience rapid growth and start-up culture
• Flexible Working Hours
• Open to exploring, discussing and implementing new ideas and processes
• Opportunity to work closely with the Founding Team at GalaxEye
• Get a chance to work with Advisors holding senior positions and decades of experience