Thesis Worker - Parametric modelling and simulation of composite sandwich structures with inserts

🚀 Challenge the Impossible​ ​

About Beyond Gravity

Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, Beyond Gravity is not your typical space company. We're a unique blend of agility, speed, and innovation, fusing a start-up mindset with decades of industry expertise and a track record of 100% mission success. Our dynamic team of over 1700 professionals, spread across 13 locations in six countries, is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is technically feasible. We're not just building crucial products for the satellites and launchers industry, we’re helping to improve life on earth.

Your Crew:

By joining the Launchers Innovation team and our multidisciplinary engineers, you’ll contribute to the development of technologies for launcher structures in a multicultural environment. Our collaborative and lean organization encourages creativity and professional development, supported by highly skilled experts. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to work on your Master’s Thesis, pushing your limits and discovering something new each day, as each day brings unique chances to go Beyond.

Your Mission: 

In aerospace engineering, reducing structural weight directly translates into lower fuel consumption, increased payload capacity, and improved overall efficiency. Composite sandwich structures offer an exceptional stiffness-to-weight ratio and superior energy absorption capabilities, making them the material of choice for space structures.

To introduce loads originating from secondary structures, metallic elements (so called inserts) are typically used. The complex anisotropic behaviour of composite sandwich structures presents significant challenges in accurately predicting the mechanical performance, particularly when metallic components such as inserts are involved.

This thesis proposes the development of a parametric modelling and finite element simulation framework capable of efficiently exploring, predicting, and optimizing the behaviour of metallic inserts in composite sandwich for launch vehicle structures.

To achieve the target state, the following steps are foreseen: 

• Develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of the main physical phenomena occurring in launcher sandwich structures
• Understand the capabilities and consolidate the various modelling techniques for inserts in sandwich materials
• Develop a parametric (FE-based) model for inserts in sandwich materials
• Iteratively improve the model based on correlation with experimental data
• Perform parametric analyses to identify the key contributing factors to maximize the structural performance

Your Story: 

• Currently enrolled in a Master in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering 
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English
• Strong focus on Finite Element Analysis
• Familiar with simulation, CAD design, open-source tools and python scripting
• Engineering and scientific curiosity, proactive attitude  
• Good independence, team-working abilities and communication skills 

🌌Are you ready for lift-off?​

Our core values - Passionate, Together, and Curious - transform challenges into opportunities. Embark on a journey to transcend the ordinary with us. Propel your career to new heights by applying before 05/01/2026. We‘re actively reviewing candidates and will promptly select the ideal fit for our team.​

For questions regarding the position, please contact: ​Evaristo Odinolfi | evaristo.odinolfi@beyondgravity.com or Marco Ravasi | marco.ravasi@beyondgravity.com
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For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact: ​Cassandra Gyamfi | recruiting.switzerland@beyondgravity.com  

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Beyond Gravity is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected categories.​

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Applications by e-mail cannot be considered. We do not accept dossiers from recruitment agencies for this position.