Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

About the role

Space Kinetic is a cleared , venture-backed startup focused on addressing urgent national security priorities. Our goal is to deliver a suite of asymmetric capabilities for space superiority and missile defense leveraging our proprietary electromechanical deployment system, which enables the rapid deployment of low-cost payloads through space without firing a thruster. Space Kinetic is currently assembling its TRL-5 prototype. Our goal is to leverage this platform to provide the United States with a new tool for securing the space domain & catalyzing the emerging space economy.

Responsibilities

• Mechanism Development
• Design and develop space-rated mechanisms , including:
• Release and separation systems
• Motorized actuators and gear trains
• Payload pointing mechanisms
• Precision robotic or kinematic mechanisms
• Mechanism torque and friction calculations
• Select appropriate space-qualified materials, lubricants, bearings, and coatings .
• Support finite element analysis (FEA) and mechanism performance simulations.
• Prototyping & Testing
• Support development of hardware design and build s as well as prototype testing.
• Investigate functional test anomalies and implement corrective design changes.
• Lead mechanical support for environmental testing , including:
• Thermal Vacuum (TVAC)
• Random vibration
• Shock testing
• Deployment testing
• Manufacturing & Integration
• Work closely with manufacturing and producibility teams to ensure designs are producible and testable .
• Support assembly, integration, and test (AIT) of spacecraft hardware.
• Provide hands-on support during payload integration and spacecraft assembly .
• Documentation & Reviews
• Follow design and hardware I&T processes
• Generate and maintain engineering documentation , including:
• Mechanical design packages
• Interface Control Documents (ICDs)
• Assembly procedures
• Test plans and reports
• Present designs during major program reviews:
• SRR (System Requirements Review)
• PDR (Preliminary Design Review)
• CDR (Critical Design Review)
• TRR (Test Readiness Review)
• What It Takes:
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of mechanical design experience with focus on mechanisms.
• Strong knowledge of:
• Kinematics and dynamics of mechanisms
• Gear systems, cams, linkages, springs
• Bearings and power transmission components
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, Creo, CATIA, or NX).
• Experience with GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis.
• Familiarity with prototype development and testing
• Ability to build and maintain a network of talented individuals. Prioritizes organizational and planning skills.
• 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:
• Experience designing deployable space mechanisms.
• Knowledge of space-rated materials, lubricants, and bearings.
• Experience with spacecraft structures and payload integration.
• Familiarity with NASA or DoD spacecraft development standards.
• Hands-on experience in prototype builds and mechanism troubleshooting.
• Strong understanding of mechanism kinematics and dynamics
• Experience designing high-reliability aerospace hardware
• Ability to work in cross-disciplinary engineering teams
• Strong prob

Additional Information

A New Paradigm For Space Operations.

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