M&P Structures Engineer

Help Build Europe's Hypersonic Capability At Hypersonica, we’re redefining what’s possible in European defence technology. We exist to deliver speed, resilience, and technological independence at a pace that sets a new standard. We are a small, elite team working on problems that matter, and solving them fast. By joining Hypersonica, you’re not stepping into a predefined role. You’re joining a talent‑dense environment where every individual shapes the direction of the company. Our philosophy is to hire a small number of exceptional people with broad, deep technical capability, strong judgement, and the ability to operate autonomously. We hire for talent, not rigid boxes. This role represents a business need, but the way it evolves will be shaped by the individual. If you’ve achieved what others said was impossible, or you bring a unique combination of skills that doesn’t fit a traditional mould, we want to hear from you. The work you do here directly contributes to Europe’s technological independence.

What you’ll do

• Own and solve thermo‑mechanical challenges for hypersonic missiles and aerospace vehicles operating in extreme flight environments.
• Lead structural design and advanced analysis of critical vehicle components exposed to extreme aerodynamic loads, thermal gradients, and dynamic stresses.
• Develop and maintain high‑fidelity simulation models (FEA and multi‑physics) to predict structural, thermal, and material behaviour under operational conditions.
• Conduct detailed stress, fatigue, creep, fracture, and thermal stress analysis on novel composites, superalloys, ceramics, and refractory materials.
• Define and shape mechanical system architectures, ensuring robust integration between propulsion systems, airframe structures, thermal protection, and control systems.
• Investigate, select, and qualify high‑temperature materials and material systems capable of sustained operation above 1500°C.
• Analyse material behaviour under thermal cycling, oxidation, ablation, and phase change, identifying risks and driving mitigation strategies.
• Evaluate and influence manufacturing processes (additive manufacturing, advanced casting, welding, high‑precision fabrication) to ensure designs are buildable and scalable.
• Identify material‑ and process‑driven failure modes, feeding insights back into design, analysis, and qualification plans.
• Collaborate closely with propulsion, aerodynamics, and systems teams to translate requirements into manufacturable, testable mechanical designs.
• Support and interpret experimental testing, using data to refine models, material selection, and system architectures.
• Contribute across the full lifecycle from concept through simulation, prototype development, and design maturity.

Who you are

• A highly capable Mechanical Engineer with deep experience in materials, structures, or mechanical system design for extreme environments.
• You bring strong expertise in at least one of the following, with working knowledge across the others: Advanced materials science (high‑temperature alloys, ceramics, composites), Stress and failure analysis (structural mechanics, fatigue, fracture, dynamics), Mechanical system engineering (vehicle‑level integration, dynamic modelling).
• Comfortable tackling highly ambiguous, non‑linear engineering problems under tight performance and safety constraints.
• Highly proficient with advanced simulation tools (e.g. OPTISTRUCT, NASTRAN, COMSOL) and modern CAD tools (e.g. Siemens NX).
• Strong analytical capability, able to connect multi‑physics behaviour into actionable engineering decisions.
• Experienced using test data to validate and challenge models, not treating simulation as an end in itself.
• Detail‑driven yet able to think at the system and vehicle level, understanding how mechanical decisions affect overall performance.
• Familiar with aerospace, defence, or other high‑performance engineering programmes where margins matter.
• Technically curious, rigorous, and motivated by operating at the limits of materials and structural performance.
• Driven by contributing to sovereign hypersonic capability, where correctness, robustness, and execution speed matter.

Security and Eligibility Requirement

Due to the nature of the work with the UK MOD, applicants must be a British Citizen (or Dual UK national with British citizenship) and eligible for UK Security Clearance (SC) and, where required, Developed Vetting (DV).

What we offer

• A mission driven environment with the opportunity to work on one of Europe’s most consequential defence challenges, with direct impact on sovereign capability and security.
• Daily collaboration with top experts across engineering, operations, and defence, with real opportunity to learn from the best, contribute, and grow.
• High ownership and autonomy; no time tracking, no micromanagement, just clear objectives and accountability for outcomes.
• A fast paced environment where good ideas are implemented quickly, and feedback from test and flight drives real decisions.
• A culture that values clarity, integrity, and excellence, and supports people who take initiative and push boundaries responsibly.
• Competitive compensation and real share options aligned to responsibility and impact, not tenure or hierarchy.

At Hypersonica, every hire raises the bar. We are deliberately small, intensely capable, and deeply mission‑driven. If this role feels like a strong fit, or if you believe you bring something exceptional that goes beyond the description, we encourage you to apply. Hypersonica is an equal‑opportunity employer and assesses candidates solely on merit, capability, and potential.