Structural Analysis Engineer

Who We Are:

Space Kinetic is a dual use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations – one that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology (low-cost, operationally flexible, attainable, distributed) to space missions while reducing the ecosystem's reliance on consumable fuel. In a world where many companies are focused on incrementally improving the status quo, we are focused on creating something entirely different – an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age head-on.

Our goal is to move away from one-to-one space architectures – where each satellite in a constellation has one (or a small # of) primary payloads attached to the bus and unlock a ‘one-to-many’ system, where each satellite has a large number of payloads which can be deployed from their host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster.

This is not a role for someone looking for a traditional 40-hour work week. Space Kinetic is building ambitious, first-of-its-kind technology, and that requires urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment to changing the foundational assumptions for everything we do in space.

We are seeking a Structural Analysis Engineer with 5 to 10 years of experience to perform structural analysis across spacecraft, payload, and deployment-system hardware.

• Conduct and document static, thermo-mechanical, dynamic, vibration, buckling, fatigue, and fracture analyses using finite element analysis and first-principles methods
• Develop structural models to predict stress, deformation, dynamic response, failure modes, and margins of safety
• Define load cases and operating environments for spacecraft and flight hardware
• Perform hand calculations and analytical modeling to validate results and guide design decisions
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, systems, and test engineers to develop lightweight, reliable, and manufacturable hardware
• Support structural test planning, instrumentation, execution, data processing, and correlation of models to test results
• Lead structural design trades, mass optimization, and resolution of hardware issues throughout development
• Document and present analysis findings during internal, customer, and program design reviews

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, applied physics, or a related technical discipline
• 5 to 10 years of experience in structural analysis, stress analysis, structural dynamics, loads development, or a related field
• Strong foundation in statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, fatigue, fracture mechanics, and material behavior
• Proficiency with finite element analysis tools such as FEMAP/NASTRAN, ANSYS, Abaqus, or equivalent tools
• Experience performing static, modal, buckling, vibration, or nonlinear structural analyses
• Ability to use hand calculations and first-principles methods to validate computational models
• Experience supporting structural testing and correlating analytical predictions with test data

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, materials engineering, or a related field
• Experience analyzing spacecraft, payloads, deployment systems, mechanisms, or other flight hardware
• Proficiency with FEMAP/NASTRAN, Siemens NX, MATLAB, or Python
• Experience with metallic, composite, bonded, welded, machined, or additively manufactured structures
• Experience supporting static, vibration, shock, fatigue, qualification, or acceptance testing
• Familiarity with aerospace structural-analysis standards and qualification methodologies

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

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

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent…