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Aerospace Engineer

Torrance, CA

A New Paradigm For Space Operations. 

Who We Are: 
Space Kinetic is a cleared, venture-backed startup focused on addressing urgent national security priorities. Our goal is to deliver a suite of asymmetric capabilities for space superiority and missile defense leveraging our proprietary electromechanical deployment system, which enables the rapid deployment of low-cost payloads through space without firing a thruster. Space Kinetic is currently assembling its TRL-5 prototype. Our goal is to leverage this platform to provide the United States with a new tool for securing the space domain & catalyzing the emerging space economy. 

What You’ll Do: 
The Aerospace Engineer will design and build prototypes for the Space Kinetic's core technology to achieve our mission of a flight demo within the next 2 years in a fast-paced startup environment. 

You will work with the Space Kinetic manufacturing/engineering team to finalize the current prototype's CAD design. This entails refining the design with detailed tolerancing to cover all prototype development phases, completing mechanism design, providing 2D CAD drawings for manufacturing, and working with vendors to source components. Following this, you will be responsible for enhancing the prototype design to achieve significant weight reduction, targeting a 30% decrease and increasing its stiffness and rigidity. 

The next phase involves revising the mechanism designs to incorporate the latest advancements, minimizing the vibration within the system. Subsequently, the prototype will undergo a mechanical redesign to ensure it is suitable for manufacturing, with specific attention to tolerancing for plating processes. 

Additionally, you will adapt the prototype for future tests, such as air bearing, zero-g flights, and T-Vac chamber testing. This includes making structural adjustments to facilitate testing in various orientations and environments while ensuring the design meets rigorous safety standards. 

Finally, the role involves comprehensive ongoing analysis of test data to inform and drive necessary design changes throughout the project duration. We should move closer to a flight-ready prototype with each new design iteration. 

What It Takes: 
  • Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with a minimum of 2 years of related experience. Advanced Degrees (Master’s or Ph.D.) in similar disciplines are highly valued with correspondingly lower experience requirements. 
  • Proven experience in aerospace or mechanical engineering, specifically skilled in mechanical design and space mechanisms. 
  • Proficient in SolidWorks, GD&T, Space Mechanism Design, Test Structure Design, Build for Manufacturing (experience in collaborating with machinists and experience designing for manufacturing), expertise in Vibration, Rotary Component Design, and Space Structural Design.
  • Demonstrated Aerospace experience is essential. 
  • Experience in executing experiments in a laboratory or R&D environment, skilled in data collection and adept at implementing design modifications based on experimental outcomes. 
  • Ability to work with minimal direction or support and to learn quickly; strong analytical skills; creative and innovative thinking; detail-oriented; calm under pressure; commitment to follow-through; enthusiastic with a talent for motivating others; receptive to criticism and open to others' ideas; and effective in written communication. 
  • Ability to build and maintain a network of talented individuals. Prioritizes organizational and planning skills. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder).
  • Ability to maintain or obtain a Government Security Clearance. 
 What We’d Love:
  • Experience with space-grade components and ratings.
  • Adept in testing for in-space operations
  • Passion for the commercial and government space industry.
  • Demonstrated experience in spacecraft or launch vehicle system development.
  • Experience in contributing technical expertise to the proposal writing process for the acquisition of grants and contracts. 
Where You’ll Be: 
  • The position will be on site at our headquarters in Torrance, CA.  

What We Offer:  

  • Competitive Base Salary + Equity-Based Compensation
  • Highly Competitive PTO and Holiday Calendar
  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
  • Unique Performance-Based Bonus Structure
  • Health and Wellness Stipend
  • Commuter Benefits

ITAR Requirements:  
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here 

Equal Employment Opportunity: 
Space Kinetic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. 

The annual base salary for this role is currently $70,000-$100,000 Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data.  Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education/experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.   

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