About Rocket Factory Augsburg

At Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) we have one goal: create low-cost, flexible and reliable access to space. We specialize in the creation of small launcher solutions designed for deploying satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and beyond. Together with you, we want to revolutionize space services and help enhance life on Earth. Sounds interesting? Then join our journey and be part of the team leading the New Space movement in Europe!

About the Team

Our international and agile team is looking for support from a motivated person as a Structural & Thermal FEA Engineer where you will be part of the analytical backbone of our propulsion program. You'll work across the full engine — combustion chambers, nozzles, turbopumps, manifolds, valves, and structural interfaces — developing high-fidelity models that directly drive design decisions and hardware qualification. In this position you will have exposure to many of the engine systems, and you will have ownership of the analysis that will shape our parts. You'll collaborate daily with design, manufacturing, and test teams, and your analysis will directly inform what we build, how it looks, how we test it, and how it will fly.Do you want to revolutionize space travel in New Space? Then you've come to the right place.

Your Tasks

Perform structural and thermal FEA on liquid rocket engine components and subsystems — combustion chamber, nozzle, turbopump, injector head, manifolds, and engine-level integration
Conduct engine-level system loads analysis and coupled thermo-structural simulations, ensuring design margins are met across all operating conditions
Lead durability assessments including thermal and pressure low cycle fatigue (LCF), high cycle fatigue (HCF), creep, and thermomechanical fatigue for components subjected to extreme temperature gradients and temperature and pressure cycling
Develop, validate, and anchor FEA models against test data (hot-fire, hydrostatic, vibration) — identifying discrepancies and driving model improvements
Support design iterations by providing clear, data-driven recommendations on geometry, material selection, and manufacturing tolerances
Evaluate failure modes and contribute to root cause analysis and corrective actions following test anomalies. Produce and maintain analysis reports, FEA documentation, and material at design reviews (PDR, CDR, QR)
Develop tools and scripting workflows to automate repetitive analysis tasks and improve team throughput. Support integration, acceptance testing, and launch operations as the thermo-structural subject-matter expert.

Your Qualifications

2 years of FEA experience on liquid rocket engines or closely related propulsion hardware.
Proficiency in ANSYS Mechanical (Workbench / APDL) or equivalent (Abaqus, NASTRAN).
Strong theoretical grounding in solid mechanics, heat transfer, and material behaviour at elevated temperatures and cryogenic conditions.
Experience with thermal and pressure LCF analysis methodologies.
Ability to interpret and correlate models against physical test data.
BSc or MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent.
Clear technical communication, able to present analysis results and risk posture to a mixed audience.
Experience with ANSYS Thermal Desktop, SIMCenter, or CFD-FEA multiphysics simulations
Scripting skills for automation: Python, MATLAB, or APDL macros Fracture mechanics / damage tolerance assessment (LEFM, NASGRO or equivalent)
Experience with nCode, fe-safe, or similar fatigue post processing tools
Exposure to turbomachinery analysis (rotordynamics, Campbell diagrams)
Familiarity with high temperature alloy

We offer

	Atmosphere: Experience life in an international & dynamic New Space start-up
	Flexibility: Fit your working schedule to your needs with flexible working hours
	Home Office: Full-time employees benefit from 1 day per week home office
	Health: Sweat, stretch or squat it out with EGYM Wellpass
	Paid Time Off: 30 days annual leave and special leave days
	RFA Family: Join regular company and team events
	Parking: Free parking for car and bike

Insights

Ready to take the next step?

This is the perfect opportunity to take on an exciting new challenge and be part of the leading private company in the new European space race. You'll get to work with over 300 employees from more than 44 countries and have the opportunity to accelerate your professional and personal development.

If you're looking for an environment where you can grow, take ownership and help shape the future of launch technology, we’d love to hear from you.

Ready to make history with us?

🚀 Apply now — we’re excited to receive your application in German or English!

FEA Analyst (m/f/d)