Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering Internship (Path to Full Time Hire)

Space Kinetic•El Segundo, CA

5d•$20 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

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. Space Kinetic’s internship program is designed to identify top early-career talent for potential full-time roles. 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. Interns who demonstrate strong performance, ownership, and alignment with Space Kinetic’s mission may receive a full-time offer upon successful completion of the internship. As a Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering Intern you will acquire hands-on learning experience while working on meaningful projects to gain significant career experience. At Space Kinetic, we provide the tools, training and mentorship for interns to do their very best work and discover opportunities to advance their careers, providing a pathway for personal growth. As an Intern you will support Engineering 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. You will work with the Space Kinetic manufacturing and engineering team to finalize the current prototype's CAD design. This role involves enhancing the design through precise tolerancing across all prototype development stages, finalizing mechanism designs, and delivering detailed CAD drawings for manufacturing. You will collaborate with vendors to source components, support finite element analysis (FEA) simulations for the system, and create models for both the current prototype and the full-scale system.

Requirements

Currently enrolled for an Engineering Degree in an accredited college or university
Must be a recent college graduate OR graduating within the last semester of your program.
Passion for design, manufacturing and testing of space systems and/or mechanisms
Experience in solid modeling, drawing release of structures, actuator mechanisms
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, self-driven entrepreneurial workplace
Experience with CAD software (SolidWorks)
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.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
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.
Passion for space-grade components and ratings.
Experience with Mechanical FEA tools
Curiosity for testing in-space operations
Passion for the commercial and government space industry.
Passion for spacecraft or launch vehicle system development.
Experiecnce with CNC Machining
Experience with Additive Manufacturing

Responsibilities

Support Engineering to help design and build prototypes for Space Kinetic’s core technology.
Finalize the current prototype's CAD design.
Enhance the design through precise tolerancing across all prototype development stages.
Finalize mechanism designs.
Deliver detailed CAD drawings for manufacturing.
Collaborate with vendors to source components.
Support finite element analysis (FEA) simulations for the system.
Create models for both the current prototype and the full-scale system.