Director of Engineering: Deployables; micro-satellites

Who We Are

Space Kinetic is a dual‑use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations. Our goal is to move beyond one‑to‑one architectures, enabling a one‑to‑many system where each satellite can deploy many payloads at high velocities without firing a thruster.

The Director of Engineering – Deployables (micro‑satellites) will lead the design, analysis, fabrication, integration, testing, qualification, and production transition of ruggedized deployable micro‑satellites compatible with our Whirlwind platform.

• Lead the design and development of Whirlwind‑compatible deployable micro‑satellites from concept through flight.
• Conduct and lead technical design reviews, providing guidance across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Mentor engineers while establishing technical direction for deployable systems development.
• Design a ruggedized micro‑satellite capable of surviving high G‑loading in the Whirlwind operational environment.
• Perform engineering trade studies balancing performance, reliability, mass, manufacturability, cost, and schedule.
• Generate detailed mechanical designs, production drawings, tolerance analyses, and engineering documentation.
• Conduct structural, thermal, and mechanical analyses to verify design performance.
• Build prototypes, engineering development units, qualification hardware, and flight hardware.
• Plan and execute functional, deployment, vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, thermal cycle, and life‑cycle testing.
• Investigate hardware failures, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Work directly with manufacturing to improve producibility and resolve fabrication or assembly issues.
• Collaborate with suppliers to develop critical components and support supplier qualification.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 8+ years of experience developing complex aerospace or high‑performance mechanical systems.
• Demonstrated experience designing precision mechanical assemblies.
• Experience taking hardware from concept through qualification or production.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as Siemens NX, Creo, Solid Works, or CATIA.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack‑up analysis, and Design for Manufacturing (DFM).
• Experience with structural mechanics, materials selection, and mechanical design principles.
• Excellent communication and technical leadership skills.
• Willingness to obtain a security clearance.

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience developing spacecraft or launch vehicle hardware.
• Experience supporting environmental qualification testing including vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, acoustic, and deployment testing.
• Familiarity with FEA tools such as ANSYS, Abaqus, or Nastran.
• Experience with prototype fabrication, machining, composites, sheet metal, and additive manufacturing.
• Experience supporting production and manufacturing scale‑up.
• Experience supporting government, national security, NASA, or commercial spaceflight programs.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, autonomously driven, and demanding startup environment.
• Passion for advancing the commercial and national security space industry.

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

• Equity‑Based Compensation
• Highly Competitive PTO and Holiday Calendar
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Unique Performance‑Based Bonus Structure

• U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident (green card holder), refugee under 8 U.S.C. §1157, asylee under 8 U.S.C. §1158, or otherwise eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

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.

Pay Range: $195,000 USD – $220,000 USD