Materials & Process (M&P) Engineer

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Plan and execute qualification programs for metallics, composites, coatings, paints, adhesives, lubricants, and other critical materials and processes.
• Coordinate with internal laboratories and external vendors to characterize materials, analyze test data, and document qualification results.
• Support PDR, CDR, MRR, and other technical reviews by providing M&P risk assessments and actionable recommendations.
• Manage M&P verification activities and ensure materials and processes are approved before flight-hardware assembly.
• Support the Material Review Board by developing technical dispositions for non-conformances identified during manufacturing, assembly, and testing.
• Lead destructive and non-destructive failure investigations, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.

Requirements

• 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.
• Must meet ITAR eligibility: U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Skills

• 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.

Location

The position is onsite at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA. Domestic travel may be required (up to ~20% of the year).

Benefits

• 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

Pay

Pay Range: $130