Additive Manufacturing Development Program (3 Months - Path to Hire)

Space Kinetic is a dual-use space technology startup building a new architecture for space operations that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology—low-cost, operationally flexible, attainable, and distributed—to space missions while reducing reliance on consumable fuel. We aim to move away from one-to-one space architectures and unlock a ‘one-to-many’ system where each satellite deploys multiple payloads at high velocities without thruster firing.

About the role

This is a full-time, onsite three-month Development Program at our headquarters in El Segundo, California. The program serves as a pathway to a career at Space Kinetic, offering recent graduates the opportunity to solve cutting-edge technical problems and contribute to high-consequence dual-use space missions. Interns join 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 participants may receive a full-time employment offer before or upon completion. Qualified candidates 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, you will be paired with a mentor, assigned one to three meaningful projects, and provide monthly progress updates to the Leadership team.

Responsibilities

• Work with design engineers to improve component designs for additive manufacturing.
• Manage parts through the AM workflow: from material selection, Design of Experiments (DoE), to part fabrication, and final delivery.
• Establish and document AM processes that meet aerospace quality standards.

Requirements

• Graduate of a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Electrical Engineering from an accredited college or university.
• Analytical, problem-solving, and electrical skills.
• 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; effective in written communication.
• Ability to maintain or obtain Government Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience with CAD and AM data preparation software (e.g., SolidWorks, Magics, ANSYS Additive Print, etc.).
• Passion for the commercial and government space industry.
• Passion for spacecraft or launch vehicle system development.

Location

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

Pay

This position is paid hourly based on the candidate’s highest completed degree at the time of hire:

• Bachelor’s degree: $30 per hour
• Master’s degree: $35 per hour
• PhD: $42 per hour

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.