Structural Analysis Engineer

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.

What You’ll Do:

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.

Job Responsibilities:

• 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

What It Takes :

• 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

What We’d Love :

• 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

Where You’ll Be:

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

What We Offer:

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

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

$135,000 - $175,000 USD