---
title: 'Sr. Structures Engineer at Venus Aerospace'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/sr-structures-engineer-venus-aerospace-houston-xt6a52e9st41'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Sr. Structures Engineer at Venus Aerospace

- **Company:** Venus Aerospace
- **Location:** Houston, TX
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-04-30
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/venusaero/17f27a94-386f-4018-8d16-a82c1b843c04

## Job description

## Who We Are

Venus Aerospace is revolutionizing rocket engine propulsion. With the first generational leap in rocket engine technology since Apollo, our proprietary Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine and Venus Detonation Ramjets deliver historic efficiency and performance across aerospace applications. We are building the next generation of propulsion platforms that enable breakthrough capabilities in space, defense, and commercial high-speed flight. Our team thrives on solving the toughest engineering challenges and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in aerospace. At Venus, we’re looking for bold engineers and innovators who want to make history and redefine the future of propulsion.

The role: Senior Structures Engineer We are seeking a Senior Structures Engineer to lead structural development for aerospace vehicles from a clean sheet. This is a highly interdisciplinary role requiring a strong technical foundation and excellent communication skills. You will help define internal standards and tools, work cross-functionally with other departments, and play a key role in building the structures team and its processes. This position is on-site in Houston, TX and may require travel to support operation, vendors, or other activities. You will be working in a developing start-up environment requiring flexibility and a willingness to take on a wide variety of tasks.

## What You'll Get To Do

- Complete structural design and analysis across a variety of aerospace vehicle types and related hardware
- Perform fatigue, buckling, stability, and general strength assessments via hand calcs and FEA (ANSYS preferred)
- Own CAD models in NX and/or CATIA, including large assemblies and release processes
- Define loads in coordination with GNC, propulsion, avionics, and systems teams
- Support structural test campaigns and contribute to flight qualification plans
- Develop internal processes, standards, and documentation for the growing team
- Help team members and others at Venus learn and grow
- Use TeamCenter, Dassault systems software, Jira, and Confluence for configuration control and program collaboration
- Contribute to a collaborative, communicative team culture — strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills are essential

## What You Have

- B.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering
- 5+ years of structural engineering experience
- 3+ years of FEA experience (ANSYS preferred)
- 3+ years of CAD experience (NX preferred), including large assembly management
- Demonstrated proficiency in hand calculations and first-principles analysis
- Familiarity with fatigue analysis methods and principles
- Strong communication, collaboration, and team-building skills
- U.S. Person eligible to work on ITAR-restricted programs

What Will Set You Apart

- Experience with random vibration (derivation from flight data or specifications), vibration testing
- Experience with design for manufacturing and producibility
- Loads development including coupled loads analysis
- Working knowledge of materials, buckling, structural joints, damage tolerance, and vibration
- Experience creating or contributing to engineering standards and internal procedures
- Background in multi-stage rockets, aircraft, or spacecraft
- Flight qualification and structural test experience
- Familiarity with TeamCenter, Dassault systems software, Jira, and Confluence

Location: On-site in Houston, TX Benefits: Venus Aerospace employee benefits include a 401(k) plan, stock options, and medical benefits, including dental and vision. We have a flex-Friday flexible schedule, unlimited PTO, and receive professional development opportunities.

ITAR Requirements This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be able to meet ITAR requirements (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State). You can learn more about ITAR here.

Venus Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation, please email careerassistance@venusaero.com or call (281) 203-0027.This email and phone number were created exclusively to assist job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Messages or any other purposes, such as following up on an application, third party staffing agencies, website technical issues, or any other issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response. Messages will be returned within five business days.

For additional information about our Equal Opportunity Employment Policy, please visit our EEOP page.

## About Venus Aerospace

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Venus Aerospace is developing the first generational leap in rocket engine technology since the Apollo era, using a rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) to power hypersonic flight for space, defense, and commercial applications.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series A; Total Funding: $46M)
- **Headquarters**: Houston, Texas, United States
- **Founded**: 2020
- **Founders**: Sassie Duggleby (CEO) and Dr. Andrew Duggleby (CTO)

## Core Business
- Primary industry/industries: Aerospace & Defense – Hypersonic propulsion, rocket engine manufacturing, high-speed flight systems.
- Target customers: Government (defense, space agencies), commercial aerospace (satellite launch, high-speed transport), and private industry partners.
- Mission/Purpose: “Connect the world and make it safer” by enabling one-hour global transport through revolutionary hypersonic technology.

## Products & Services
- **Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE)**: A breakthrough rocket engine that uses detonation waves for combustion, offering historic efficiency and low cost. Successfully test-flown in May 2025 – the first high-thrust RDRE flight ever.
- **Venus Detonation Ramjet (VDR)**: An air-breathing engine combining RDRE with ramjet technology, designed to power vehicles from take-off to sustained hypersonic cruise (Mach 5+). Intended for both defense and commercial high-speed platforms.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (private company).
- **Key Metric**: Total Funding – **$46M** across multiple rounds; Annual Revenue – **$2.8M** (estimated).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**:
  - Prime Movers Lab (led Series A, $20M, April 2022)
  - Airbus Ventures (led $15.9M venture round, June 2023)
  - Texas Space Commission ($3.9M grant, April 2025)
  - Other partners include NASA, Virgin Orbit alumni team.
- **Growth Signals**:
  - 28.7% headcount growth YoY (69 employees; +28 from previous year)
  - 27,085 LinkedIn followers (+36% YoY)
  - Successful first flight test of high-thrust RDRE in May 2025
  - Actively hiring for 14 open positions (engineering, manufacturing, test, finance)

## Competitive Advantages
- **First fundamental improvement in rocket engine technology in 60+ years** – RDRE eliminates complex turbopumps, reduces part count, and increases efficiency.
- **Affordable by design** – Simple construction, standard materials, and reusability allow lower production and operating costs compared to traditional rocket engines.
- **Proven flight test** – On May 14, 2025, Venus executed the world’s first high-thrust RDRE test flight, validating the technology.
- **Scalable platform** – The same core engine architecture can be used for space launch, hypersonic missiles, and commercial air travel.

## Strategic Focus
- Scale the RDRE and VDR engines for production and integration into defense platforms (e.g., hypersonic vehicles, drones) and commercial applications.
- Secure additional government contracts and strategic partnerships.
- Continue capital-efficient development while growing the team and infrastructure in Houston.
- Pursue flight testing of the VDR air-breathing engine.

## Why Work Here
- **Impact**: Join a small but fast-growing team working on the most significant propulsion breakthrough since the Apollo missions.
- **Culture**: The company emphasizes “curiosity, collaboration, and balance,” trusting engineers to take bold swings and solve tough problems.
- **Environment**: On-site work in Houston, Texas – a hub for aerospace innovation (Space City). Offices near major space players.
- **Team**: Composed of alumni from Virgin Orbit, SpaceX, Blue Origin, NASA, and top engineering schools. Flat structure with high ownership.
- **Growth**: Ability to shape the future of propulsion from an early stage; exposure to full product life cycle from design to flight test.

## Sources
1. [venusaero.com](https://www.venusaero.com/)  
2. [venusaero.com/careers](https://www.venusaero.com/careers)  
3. [venusaero.com/team](https://www.venusaero.com/team)  
4. [linkedin.com/company/venusaero](https://www.linkedin.com/company/venusaero)  
5. [jobs.lever.co/venusaero](https://jobs.lever.co/venusaero)

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