{"id":2592938,"url":"https://alion.io/job/ssc-space-master-thesis-soft-landing-system-for-payloads","title":"Master Thesis – Soft landing system for Payloads","company":{"id":1788739,"name":"SSC Space","domain":"sscspace.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/sscspace","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"HiBob","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":77,"open_postings":28,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.929,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":38,"computed_at":"2026-10-29T05:49:05Z"}},"role":"Early Careers","role_family":"Early Careers","seniority":null,"employment_type":null,"work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Solna, Sweden"],"countries":["SE"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-03T18:37:45Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-15","last_verified_at":"2026-10-29T14:00:45Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":55,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":55},"description":"SSC Space is a global provider of advanced space services, with expertise in areas such as satellite communications, engineering services, and rocket and balloon systems. At Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden, we launch sounding rockets that enable scientific experiments in microgravity.Sounding rocket payloads launched from Esrange may land in woodland, lakes or rocky terrain. Landing conditions and the performance of the recovery system can affect the level of damage sustained by the payload. Repairs can be costly, and severe damage to an experiment module may also result in the loss of valuable scientific data.\nThe purpose of this thesis is to explore an energy-absorbing solution that reduces the loads experienced by the payload during ground impact.\nResponsibilities\nThe thesis will focus on developing and evaluating an energy-absorbing concept suitable for integration into the bottom of a sounding rocket payload module.The work will include:\nConducting a literature review of how rockets, re-entry vehicles and other impact-sensitive structures are protected during landing or impact. \nInvestigating solutions used in other industries, such as deformable structures and airbag systems. \nAnalyzing how different landing conditions affect the loads experienced by the payload. \nEvaluating potential concepts based on factors such as mass, volume, robustness and refurbishment requirements. \nProposing an energy-absorbing concept suitable for a sounding rocket payload module. \nDeveloping a simplified analytical or numerical model to predict payload deceleration. \nDepending on the available time, implementing the concept on a scale model and performing a drop test to evaluate its performance. \nThe thesis may explore questions such as:\nHow are high-impact loads managed in other industries? \nHow do different landing conditions affect the impact loads experienced by the payload? \nWhich energy-absorbing concepts are most suitable for a sounding rocket payload? \nHow can peak deceleration be reduced without compromising structural integrity or recovery operations? \nWhich testing or simulation method is most appropriate for verifying the proposed concept? \nCan a simplified model be used to predict payload deceleration under different landing conditions? \nRequirements\nWe are looking for Master’s students with a relevant academic background, for example in mechanical engineering, engineering physics, aerospace engineering or a related field.We believe that you have:\nAn interest in structural mechanics, impact dynamics and mechanical design. \nKnowledge of analytical modelling, numerical simulation or engineering calculations. \nAn interest in developing and testing practical engineering concepts. \nThe ability to work independently and approach technical problems in a structured way. \nGood written and spoken English. \nExperience with CAD, finite element analysis, dynamic simulation, prototyping or mechanical testing is considered an advantage.\nBenefits\nThe opportunity to work on a real engineering challenge within the space industry. \nAccess to experienced specialists, technical data and relevant testing equipment. \nPractical experience of how engineering, research and testing are applied in sounding rocket missions. \nInsight into both the Swedish and international space industry. \nAn exciting and international workplace with an open and collaborative atmosphere.\nLocation\nThe thesis will be carried out in collaboration with the SSC Space team in Solna.\nNext Step\nPlease submit your application, including your CV, academic transcripts and a short description of why you are interested in the thesis.\nThe application deadline is 2026-11-22 and the thesis is expected to begin in January 2027.\nPlease note that an approved pre-employment screening is required before the thesis can begin.","description_format":"text","description_chars":3833,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"master","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[{"language":"English","level":"All levels","optional":false}]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"Sweden","iso":"SE","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Science & Engineering","Space & Aerospace","Launch Services","Engineering 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