Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
Not Disclosed•Full-TimeOn-site
location_onEast El Segundo Boulevard, El Segundo, Los Angeles County, California, 90245, United States
Space Kinetic is a cleared, venture-backed startup dedicated to addressing urgent national security priorities. Our mission is to deliver a suite of asymmetric capabilities for space superiority and missile defense. We leverage a proprietary electromechanical deployment system that enables the rapid deployment of low-cost payloads through space without firing a thruster. Currently assembling our TRL-5 prototype, we aim to provide the United States with a new tool for securing the space domain and catalyzing the emerging space economy.
The Senior Mechanical Design Engineer will serve as a key guide for the design and prototype builds of our core technology. In this fast-paced startup environment, you will play a pivotal role in achieving our mission of a flight demo within the next two years. You will partner with cross-functional teams—including simulation, electrical, manufacturing, and systems engineering—to design and develop system and subsystem assemblies, mechanisms, and precision motion systems. Your work will bridge the gap between theoretical design and physical reality, ensuring reliable operation through rigorous tolerance analysis and kinematic studies. You will also support design for manufacturing (DFM) and assembly (DFA) initiatives to drive down cost and schedule while validating strength and functional performance through mechanical simulations and FEA.
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, or asylees, and must be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Additionally, candidates must be able to maintain or obtain a Government Security Clearance.
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.
Work model: On-site
East El Segundo Boulevard, El Segundo, Los Angeles County, California, 90245, United States
El Segundo, California
Experience designing deployable space mechanisms. Knowledge of space-rated materials, lubricants, and bearings. Experience with spacecraft structures and payload integration. Familiarity with NASA or DoD spacecraft development standards. Hands-on experience in prototype builds and mechanism troubleshooting. Strong understanding of mechanism kinematics and dynamics. Experience designing high-reliability aerospace hardware. Ability to work in cross-disciplinary engineering teams. Strong problem-solving and root-cause investigation skills. Experience working in fast-paced spaceflight development programs.
Skills: Solidworks, Creo, Catia, NX, Finite Element Analysis, Fea, GD&T, Tolerance Stack-Up Analysis, Thermal Vacuum, Random Vibration.
Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field; Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
