Structural Analysis Engineering Development Program (3 Months - Path to Hire)

Space Kinetic Corp.; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 27,552 - 41,328; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend

Onsite HQ

Job summary

Space Kinetic is seeking a Structural Analysis Engineer Intern for our El Segundo, CA headquarters. The role focuses on intake and build-out of structural analysis models to test correlation and flight readiness, with mentorship and real-world projects in a fast-paced startup.

The internship runs for three months, is full-time onsite, and includes training, with opportunities for long-term employment based on performance. Housing stipend may be available for relocations.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Structural Engineering program at an accredited college or university.
• Recent graduate or near graduation expected in the current term.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities required.
• Ability to read and interpret technical procedures and regulations.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial workplace.
• Eligibility to meet ITAR and export regulations for US work.

Responsibilities

• Support structural analysis model intake and build-out for test correlation and flight readiness.
• Contribute to improvements in facility processes and cross-team collaboration.
• Assist engineering with prototype design/build for core tech demonstrations.

Skills

Mechanical Eng

Aerospace Eng

Structural Eng

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Reading technical docs

Fast learner

Self-driven

Written communication

U.S. export regs aware

Education

Engineering degree (ME/AE/SE)

Recent graduate or final semester

Job description

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 # 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.

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 # 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

Our Full-Time Internship Program:

This is a full-time, onsite internship requiring a commitment of 40 hours per week for three months at our headquarters in El Segundo, California.

Our Full-Time Internship Program is more than an internship, it's a pathway to a career at Space Kinetic. We hire exceptional students and recent graduates who are eager to solve cutting edge technical problems and contribute to high consequence dual use space missions. Interns become part of our core technical, operations, and business teams, work on mission-critical projects, and are evaluated for long-term career opportunities based on performance, initiative, collaboration, and ownership. Outstanding interns may receive a full-time employment offer before or upon completion of the program. Qualified interns relocating for the program may be eligible for a housing stipend, and applications are accepted year-round based on hiring needs.

Over the three-month program, interns are paired with a mentor, assigned one to three meaningful projects, and provide monthly progress updates to the Leadership team.

What You’ll Do:

As a Structural Analysis Engineer Intern, this position will assist in structural analysis model intake and build-out to test correlation and flight readiness. Be a driving force for continuous improvement of the facility while working with all levels of the organization. Interns will be provided with training and mentorship that will translate to real-world skills and experiences.

As an Intern you will support the Engineering team to help design and build prototypes for Space Kinetic’s core technology to achieve our mission of a flight demo within the next 2 years in a fast-paced startup environment. This internship is a paid position with both full and part-time employment opportunities available. These roles will be open within a rolling start and end timeframe.

What It Takes:

• Currently enrolled for a Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Structural Engineering degree from an accredited college or university.
• Must be a recent college graduate OR graduate within the last semester of your program.
• Analytical, problem-solving, and electrical skills are required
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, self-driven, rapidly growing entrepreneurial workplace
• Ability to work with minimal direction or support and to learn quickly; strong analytical skills; creative and innovative thinking; detail-oriented; calm under pressure; commitment to follow-through; enthusiastic with a talent for motivating others; receptive to criticism and open to others' ideas; and effective in written communication.
• 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).
• Ability to maintain or obtain Government Security Clearance.

What We’d Love:

• Familiarity with scripting in Python or MATLAB for automation of FEM workflows and post-processing.
• Hands-on experience supporting vibration, acoustic, or shock testing, including fixture design and instrumentation planning.
• Passion for the commercial and government space industry.
• Passion for spacecraft or launch vehicle system development.

Where You’ll Be:

• The position is onsite at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA.

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-based 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: $20 USD - $30 USD