Structural Designer (Contingent)
Design
Toronto, ON, Canada
CAD 100,622-150,622 / year + Equity
Position Status: Contingent Upon Program Award
We are seeking a Structural Designer to lead the structural development and verification of spacecraft subsystems.
This role combines structural analysis, mechanical design influence, hardware development, testing, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure spacecraft systems survive launch, deployment, and operational environments while meeting demanding performance, mass, and reliability requirements. The successful candidate will own structural performance from concept through qualification, working closely with systems, RF, electrical, software, mechanical, manufacturing, AIT, and mission operations teams to develop robust and scalable solutions.
The ideal candidate thrives in environments where performance, mass, reliability, manufacturability, schedule, and cost must all be balanced to achieve mission success. They are equally comfortable developing analytical models, interpreting test data, influencing design decisions, and solving complex multidisciplinary challenges.
This role is an opportunity to directly influence the next generation of Kepler spacecraft while helping establish the engineering practices, technical rigor, and structural engineering capability that will enable Kepler to become a world leader in spacecraft development and space infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead the structural development and verification of spacecraft subsystems from concept through flight qualification and successful transition into production
Own subsystem-level structural development activities including structural modeling, design assessment, verification, testing, qualification, and risk reduction
Assess spacecraft hardware performance under static, dynamic, vibration, shock, deployment, and operational loading environments
Drive structural trade studies and influence design decisions using first-principles engineering, simulation, testing, and sound engineering judgment
Identify structural risks early and recommend design improvements that enhance performance, reliability, manufacturability, and qualification success
Demonstrate compliance with structural requirements through analysis, testing, and documented margins of safety
Develop and maintain structural models used to predict spacecraft and subsystem performance
Define structural verification strategies and success criteria aligned with mission requirements
Plan and execute qualification activities including vibration, static load, modal, shock, and other environmental test campaigns
Correlate simulation results with physical testing to continuously improve model fidelity and engineering confidence
Support hardware development teams by translating analysis findings into practical design recommendations
Lead root-cause investigations and drive complex technical issues through to resolution
Work closely with systems, RF, electrical, software, mechanical, manufacturing, supply chain, AIT, and mission operations teams to develop integrated spacecraft solutions
Facilitate technical discussions regarding structural performance, design trades, risks, and recommendations
Coordinate structural activities across stakeholders to ensure successful integration, verification, and delivery
Contribute to the continuous improvement of structural engineering methods, analysis approaches, verification practices, and development workflows
Act as a peer reviewer, mentor junior engineers, and provide technical leadership within project teams
Promote a culture of technical rigor, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning
Structural Development & Ownership
Analysis, Verification & Risk Reduction
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Engineering Excellence
Required Skills & Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or equivalent
4+ years of experience developing and verifying structural solutions for complex mechanical, aerospace, or spacecraft systems
Strong understanding of structural mechanics, dynamics, vibration, shock, fatigue, failure modes, and margins of safety
Experience developing and correlating structural models using simulation and physical testing
Experience assessing designs under static, dynamic, vibration, shock, deployment, and operational loading environments
Experience defining structural verification approaches and qualification strategies
- Demonstrated willingness and ability to leverage AI-assisted engineering and development tools to improve productivity, design quality, and innovation while adapting to evolving technologies and best practices
Experience with NASTRAN-based analysis environments such as Simcenter 3D, NX NASTRAN, FEMAP, MSC NASTRAN, or equivalent
Experience with CAD platforms such as Onshape, Creo, SolidWorks, NX, or equivalent
Strong communication and documentation skills working within multidisciplinary engineering teams
Comfortable operating in a hands-on development environment involving prototyping, testing, troubleshooting, and hardware development
Bonus Points:
Experience developing spacecraft, satellite, aerospace, or other mission-critical hardware
Experience assessing and managing structural interfaces between spacecraft platforms and customer payloads
Experience planning and executing environmental qualification testing and correlating results to analytical models
Familiarity with ESA ECSS, NASA, or equivalent aerospace structural engineering standards
Experience supporting hardware transition from development into production
Experience working with lightweight structures, deployable systems, mechanisms, or precision mechanical assemblies
Eligibility for Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) licensure in a Canadian jurisdiction
Salary Range: $100,622 - 150,622 CAD
Actual total compensation will be determined at the Company’s discretion and is based on a variety of job-related factors, which may include, but are not limited to, relevant knowledge, skills, experience, performance, and education and/or training. The Company encourages all qualified applicants to apply, even if the posted salary range does not align with their expectations, as it does not reflect our total compensation package.
Job Type: Contingent Upon Program Award