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VP of Engineering

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 VP of Engineering at Space Kinetic will collaborate with our founding team to establish a world-class engineering organization and streamlined processes to propel our groundbreaking technology into space, validating a pioneering category of space operations for national security. This role demands a visionary engineering leader with a proven track record of technical excellence and extensive experience successfully leading aerospace engineering teams in space applications.  

This is a critical leadership role responsible for providing strategic planning, technical oversight and directing all engineering functions within the company in a fast-paced start-up agile environment. The individual in this role is responsible for leading the engineering division, overseeing the design, development, and production of our core technology, and ensuring the engineering team meets its objectives.  The VP of Engineering will develop and execute the overall payload engineering and production strategy in line with the company’s goals and objectives.  

Responsibilities include establishing and implementing engineering goals, managing budgets, and fostering a culture of collaboration within the engineering team. The VP of Engineering will also be responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and delivery of engineering projects, ensuring these are completed on time, within scope, and on budget. The position demands a strong focus on technological innovation, requiring the VP of Engineering to stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies, leading the product from concept to development, validations/verification, integration, qualification, hardware delivery, and ultimately, successfully executing the payload objectives in support of our customer mission operations.  

This role is pivotal in shaping the future of Space Kinetic as it embarks on an ambitious project aimed at advancing our revolutionary platform for dynamic space operations. 

Responsibilities 

  • Built and Lead a World-Class Team: attract, recruit and retain top-tier space systems engineers to develop cutting-edge space vehicle payload technology. 
  • Drive Full Development Cycle: own an end-to-end prototype-to-design, testing, manufacturing and deployment of our core space technology ensuring successful prototyping, integration and deployment of space hardware. 
  • Establish and Lead Supply Chain Partnerships: identify and secure relationships with top-tier suppliers and vendors. 
  • Execute System Development and Integration: be the leader in preliminary design trades, prototype development, system integration and mission operations for full-scale space hardware deployments. 
  • Optimize for Manufacturability, Scalability and Operational Automation: develop strategies for rapid prototyping, enabling an agile cradle-to-grave approach on space hardware design validation-verification that will allow cost-effective space systems ensuring mission reliability and performance. 
  • Coordinate Space Mission Across Stakeholders: work across Space Kinetic teams, external partners, and government stakeholders to align mission goals and execution timelines. 
  • Foster Data-Driven, Results-Oriented Culture: implement rigorous test methodologies and performance validation framework through operational feedback streamlining a continuous improvement process. 
  • Champion Cross-Functional Collaboration: establish intra-team communication process for hardware, software, payload, and operations to accelerate our core technology development and deployment. 

What It Takes: 

  • B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or related field  
  • 10+ years of experience in leadership positions of satellite systems development, integration, and operation. 
  • 10+ years of professional experience developing complex space mechanisms, payloads with electromechanical subsystems and bringing these successfully from low TRL level to a pre-production level. 
  • 10+ years of product experience designing hardware from concept through production; strong emphasis on full life cycle development of new hardware products and not small incremental updates to legacy hardware 
  • 10+ years of professional experience testing, troubleshooting, and debugging 
  • Proven track record of leading and managing engineering teams, with strong leadership and people management skills. 
  • Extensive experience in engineering, including experience with complex, high-tech, or aerospace systems. 
  • Strong strategic planning and problem-solving skills, with the ability to drive innovation and lead change. 
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with senior leadership and other stakeholders. 
  • Experience in managing large-scale engineering projects, including project planning, execution, and delivery. 
  • Ability and willingness to obtain a TS/SCI clearance

What We’d Love: 

  • Master's degree or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field. 
  • Extensive experience in aerospace or space technology sectors, particularly with complex and high-precision engineering environments. 
  • Prior ownership of a complex component or assembly from initial design through production ramp 
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start­up atmosphere 
  • Passion for advancing the commercial and National Security space industry 

Where You’ll Be: 

  • The position is onsite at our headquarters in Torrance, CA. Domestic travel may be required (up to ~20% of the year). 

What We Offer:  

  • 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 $225,000+ 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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