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Lead Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer

El Segundo, California

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: 
Based out of Space Kinetic's headquarters in Torrance, CA, the Lead Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer is responsible for the analysis, design, and design validation of our core electromechanical deployment system. You are responsible for taking a prototype and making it flight ready. You will be expected to define loads and environments, perform detailed simulations and physics-based analysis, guide design, and help validate analysis, design, and system performance through test. You will lead the mechanical team, with deliverables required for internal leadership and will coordinate with technical experts to address and resolve concerns. 

Responsibilities 

  • Resolve design and test issues/anomalies/challenges via detailed structural analyses of spacecraft and payloads including the core bus structure, bolted or bonded joint concepts, appendages, optical systems, booms, and deployables 
  • Maintain state-of-the-art skills in activities related to design, evaluation, and testing of space structures. Skills include expertise in structural mechanics analysis techniques, failure criteria, composite design criteria, fracture and fatigue, damage tolerance, concept ideation and development, and advanced finite element analysis methods 
  • Communicate with both inter-organizational personnel and leadership, when necessary to scope, plan, and resolve technical issues 
  • Define, process, and interpret static and dynamic ground test & flight data, including: sensor selection, data acquisition and validation, and environmental determination (random vibration, shock, quasi-static, acoustic, pressure, and thermal) 
  • Perform, validate, and document structural analyses of primary and secondary vehicle structures, including: finite element model verification and validation, material selection, performance of trade-off studies, and mass optimization 
  • Perform structural and dynamic simulations, including: static, modal, random vibration, buckling, and thermoelastic 
  • Work closely with design and test engineers to iterate through design concepts, determine test requirements, and demonstrate positive structural margins 
  • Define test requirements and directly support testing of vehicle subsystems and components 
  • Lead technical projects and programs, as required, both within analysis and across disciplines and teams 
  • Help implement new theory and tools within the team and establish best practices in areas of technical expertise 

What It Takes: 

  • Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related field. 
  • 10 to 15 years of relevant work experience (or 9 years with an M.S. degree or 7 years with a PhD) in Aerospace/Mechanical engineering. 
  • Experience or coursework in structural mechanics such as composite materials, nonlinear materials, plates and shells, energy and finite element methods, fracture, and fatigue 
  • Experience in spacecraft-level structural test campaign design, execution, data processing, and validation 
  • Demonstrated ability to coordinate technical assignments and lead project teams 
  • Direct experience correlating finite element model predictions with test results 
  • Ability to work within multi-disciplinary teams in a fast-paced, evolving operational environment that spans military, government, and industry partners 
  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills 
  • 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. 
  • 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). 
  • Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information; Ability to maintain or obtain a Government Security Clearance is required. 

What We’d Love: 

  • Experience in analyzing additive manufactured parts (3D printing) 
  • Experience with sensor selection and data post-processing/interpretation (accelerometers, strain gauges, thermocouples, etc.) 
  • Experience in structural analysis of composites (laminate design, joint design, materials characterization, environmental effects) 
  • Familiarity with nonlinear material simulation, including metal plasticity, elastomers, and adhesive joints 
  • Demonstrated ability to represent the physics of structures during the analysis idealization stage, and to translate results into a conclusive assessment 
  • Proficient with Ansys or other commercial finite element tools 
     

*Our vision is unique, and so is the team we’re building. If you’re driven to succeed in this role, even if your background doesn’t fully align with every qualification, we want your application.

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 below. 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.  

Pay Range

$150,000 - $188,000 USD

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