Director of Engineering: Deployables (micro-satellites)

A New Paradigm For Space Operations.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, attritable, 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 number 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:

The Director of Engineering, Deployables will lead the development of ruggedized microsatellites compatible with Space Kinetic’s high-velocity Whirlwind deployment system. This role owns the deployable system from concept through flight, including design, fabrication, integration, testing, qualification, and production transition.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead deployable microsatellite development from concept through flight.

• Own system design, analysis, fabrication, integration, testing, and qualification.

• Design hardware capable of surviving Whirlwind’s high-G operating environment.

• Lead design reviews and provide direction across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

• Produce mechanical designs, drawings, tolerance analyses, and technical documentation.

• Build prototype, development, qualification, and flight hardware.

• Plan and execute functional, deployment, vibration, shock, thermal-vacuum, thermal-cycle, and life-cycle testing.

• Resolve hardware failures, manufacturing issues, and supplier component challenges.

What It Takes:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

• 8+ years of experience developing complex aerospace or high-performance mechanical systems.

• Experience designing precision mechanical assemblies.

• Experience taking hardware from concept through qualification or production.

• Proficiency with Siemens NX, Creo, SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar 3D CAD software.

• Strong knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and Design for Manufacturing.

• Understanding of structural mechanics, material selection, and mechanical design principles.

• Strong communication and technical leadership skills, with the ability to obtain a security clearance.

What We'd Love:

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.

• Experience developing spacecraft or launch vehicle hardware from prototype through production.

• Experience with environmental qualification testing, including vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, acoustic, and deployment testing.

• Familiarity with FEA tools such as ANSYS, Abaqus, or Nastran.

• Hands-on experience with machining, composites, sheet metal, or additive manufacturing.

• Experience supporting government, national security, NASA, or commercial spaceflight programs.

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:

• Equity-Based Compensation

• 401(k) retirement plan with a 3.5% company match

• Highly Competitive PTO

• Paid company holidays + winter break

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Unique Performance-based bonus opportunities

ITAR Requirements:

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be (i) a U.S. citizen or national, (ii) a U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) a refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, (iv) an asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

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

$195,000—$220,000 USD