Materials & Process (M&P) Engineer at Space Kinetic — El Segundo, USA | Base Career

A New Paradigm For Space Operations.

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.

The Materials and Processes (M&P) Engineer will serve as a core technical authority supporting the development, fabrication, integration, and testing of Space Kinetic’s spacecraft mechanisms and flight hardware.

You will work closely with design, manufacturing, quality, and test teams to ensure materials, treatments, and manufacturing processes meet the demands of launch and space environments.

The ideal candidate has broad aerospace materials experience and is comfortable supporting hardware from design and qualification through production and failure investigation.

Guide mechanical designers on material selection, surface treatments, joint design, and space-environment risks, including atomic oxygen, vacuum outgassing, galvanic corrosion, and thermal cycling.
Author, review, and approve engineering drawings, material specifications, and process procedures for compliance with aerospace standards.

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
3 to 7 years of materials and processes engineering experience supporting spaceflight or similarly high-reliability aerospace hardware.
Experience with aerospace metallics, including aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, and high-strength alloys.
Experience with structural composites, carbon-fiber layups, core materials, and associated manufacturing processes.
Experience with thermal-control hardware and materials, including heat pipes, heaters, thermal-interface materials, coatings, primers, adhesives, potting compounds, sealants, and space-qualified lubricants.
Hands-on experience investigating manufacturing anomalies, resolving non-conformances, and supporting hardware through qualification or production.

Experience applying NASA materials and processes standards, including NASA-STD-6016.
Familiarity with cleanroom operations, contamination control, or planetary protection requirements.
Experience supporting spacecraft mechanisms or other spaceflight hardware.
Experience supporting government, national security, NASA, or commercial spaceflight programs.
Ability to operate with urgency, ownership, and autonomy in a 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).

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.

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.

Materials & Process (M&P) Engineer

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