Structural Analyst (Space Launch New Zealand)

Location: Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

Company

hirify.global develops sustainable space transportation technologies across in-space propulsion, in-space servicing, and reusable spaceplanes.

What you will do

• Perform structural analysis and validation of composite and metallic airframe structures and components.
• Develop analytical and finite element models for flight, ground, and test loading conditions.
• Evaluate static strength, stiffness, stability, fatigue, and damage tolerance.
• Develop load cases and certification substantiation approaches.
• Plan and execute materials and structural testing, including test-data correlation and investigation of anomalies or failures.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and other engineering disciplines to optimise structures and support design reviews through flight.

Requirements

• Qualification in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or a related discipline.
• At least 3 years of professional structural-analysis experience in aerospace, aviation, motorsport, or another high-performance engineering environment.
• Strong knowledge of composite materials, laminate theory, and manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency with 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA/SIMULIA, Abaqus, Ansys, or equivalent structural-analysis software.
• Experience with structural testing of composite and metallic materials, components, or assemblies.
• Familiarity with aerospace structural verification, validation, and certification methods, plus strong written and verbal communication skills.

Nice to have

• Experience with composite defect and damage tolerance, hardware non-conformances, linear and non-linear buckling, or composite joint design.
• Experience selecting sensors and interpreting structural test data from load cells, accelerometers, strain gauges, and LVDTs.
• Experience in rapid development, prototyping, or flight-test environments.

Culture & Benefits

• Work on flight-critical hardware for a reusable rocket-powered spaceplane.
• Collaborate across aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, systems, composites, manufacturing, and structural engineering.
• Operate in a fast-moving environment with direct influence on design, testing, and flight outcomes.
• Join an inclusive international organisation with teams distributed across the Netherlands, France, New Zealand, and the USA.