The Mission Space is the infrastructure layer for humanity’s next industrial revolution. While reusable rockets have opened the door, true economic transformation requires orbital logistics that are as accessible and reliable as commercial aviation. At Lux Aeterna, we’re building that future by developing the first fully reusable satellite platform built for reliable reentry, recovery, and rapid redeployment, transforming space from a one-way street into a two-way highway for innovation and commerce.

The Prospect We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer to lead composites and thermal protection system (TPS) engineering on Lux Aeterna’s reentry vehicles. Our vehicle structure and TPS systems utilize state of the art composites, metallics, ablatives, and ceramic materials.

You will be the team’s authority on composites: laminate and sandwich design, how the parts are made, how they fail, and how to get flight parts from a vendor that match the drawing. You will also be responsible for the vehicle’s TPS. If you have designed or built ablative or reusable TPS, we want that experience. If your background is composites and TPS is new to you, you will learn it on our vehicle and take responsibility for it.

This is a mechanical engineering role. As a small team, we don’t have distinct design and analysis groups. This role is a mix between design, analysis, and build. You design composite and TPS hardware and write the processes that build it. This is a unique opportunity to:

Be the composites expert and the TPS lead on a reusable reentry vehicle, from design through flight and refurbishment





Build Lux Aeterna’s composites and TPS process specifications, material data, and test history early in the company’s life

Work hands-on with flight hardware, in our shop and at our vendors

Work with the mechanical, aerothermal, and thermal engineers and with technical leadership on the decisions that shape the vehicle

Why Lux Aeterna?

Pioneering Technology:

We’re developing the first reusable satellite platform with controlled return capability, fundamentally transforming space from a one-way journey to a two-way highway

Real Impact:

Your work will enable new industries in space manufacturing, research, and logistics while pioneering sustainable space infrastructure

Speed & Autonomy:

We maintain parallel hardware development streams and empower engineers to innovate rapidly while upholding rigorous aerospace standards

World-Class Team:

Work alongside experts from leading aerospace companies and research institutions, building technology that will reshape humanity’s access to space

The Role You’ll lead composites and TPS engineering on the vehicle, including:

Designing composite structure and TPS: laminate and sandwich design, inserts, bonded joints, TPS layout, attachment, seams, and closeouts





Producing fabrication‑ready drawings and statements of work for composite parts and TPS

Writing process specifications for layup and cure, structural adhesive bonding, TPS bonding, and nondestructive inspection

Selecting materials and building design allowables: coupon test plans, test vendors, and test results

Managing TPS vendors, and supporting composite vendors, from quote through first article, including tooling, cure, inspection, and rework

Supporting build in our shop (layup, bonding, potting, TPS installation, and bakeout) with work instructions technicians can follow

Qualifying materials for spaceflight: outgassing (ASTM E595), vacuum bakeout, and thermal and structural testing

Working with the aerothermal and thermal engineers on TPS sizing, material properties, and bondline temperature limits

Leading nonconformance investigations and root cause analysis on composite and bonded hardware

Defining how composite structure and TPS are inspected, repaired, and refurbished between flights

Required Qualifications

BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or related)

7+ years of experience designing and building composite hardware for aerospace or other high-performance applications

Hands-on experience with prepreg layup, autoclave and out-of-autoclave cure, honeycomb sandwich structure, inserts, and secondary bonding

Experience taking composite parts through a vendor to delivery: drawings, statements of work, tooling, first article, and nonconformance disposition

Working knowledge of

📌 Mechanical Engineer, Composites and TPS (Northumberland County)
🏢 Lux Aeterna
📍 Northumberland County