Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) Engineer

Space Kinetic•El Segundo, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Space Kinetic is a dual-use space technology startup developing a new architecture for space operations, intended to bring the advantages of proliferated drone technology to space missions while reducing reliance on consumable fuel. The company aims to move beyond one-to-one space architectures toward systems in which satellites carry many payloads that can be deployed at high velocities without firing a thruster. The company describes this as an ambitious, first-of-its-kind effort requiring urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment; this is not a traditional 40-hour-work-week role. The AIT Engineer supports the assembly, integration, verification, and testing of complex aerospace hardware and systems. This hands-on role helps move hardware from engineering release through assembly, integration, functional and environmental testing, and final verification. The engineer works with mechanical, electrical, systems, software, manufacturing, quality, and test engineering teams to ensure hardware is assembled correctly, tested thoroughly, and delivered on schedule. The position is onsite at Space Kinetic’s headquarters in El Segundo, California. Domestic travel may be required, up to approximately 20% of the year. Applicants must meet the stated U.S. export-control eligibility requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in aerospace, defense, aviation, spacecraft, manufacturing, hardware integration, or test engineering.
Hands-on experience with hardware assembly, integration, testing, manufacturing, or production processes.
Experience developing, maintaining, or executing assembly procedures, work instructions, or test procedures.
Ability to troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, or system-level hardware issues and contribute to root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, GD&T, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, or technical requirements.
Understanding of engineering configuration control, hardware traceability, and technical documentation.
Ability to work effectively with technicians and engineers in hands-on build and test environments.
Strong problem-solving, communication, organization, and collaboration skills.
Ability to take ownership of assigned tasks, resolve issues, and work across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. lawful permanent resident, a refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, an asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or otherwise eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Nice To Haves

Experience with spacecraft, satellites, launch vehicles, payloads, missiles, aircraft, or other flight hardware.
Exposure to subsystem integration, vehicle-level verification, qualification testing, or acceptance testing.
Familiarity with environmental testing, including TVAC, vibration, shock, acoustics, and EMI/EMC.
Experience with avionics, electrical power systems, wiring harnesses, sensors, RF systems, mechanisms, or propulsion systems.
Familiarity with mechanical assembly processes, including bolted joints, precision alignment, bonding, staking, torquing, shimming, and flight hardware installation.
Experience with test fixtures, integration tooling, ground support equipment, or automated test equipment.
Familiarity with oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, power supplies, electronic loads, or data acquisition systems.
Experience with CAD and PLM tools, such as Siemens NX or SolidWorks.
Familiarity with aerospace workmanship, quality standards, and launch-site integration.
Interest in scaling hardware integration and test processes for higher-rate production.

Responsibilities

Support assembly, integration, and testing of aerospace vehicles, spacecraft, payloads, subsystems, and ground support equipment.
Develop and maintain assembly procedures, work instructions, integration plans, and test procedures.
Perform mechanical and electrical integration of structures, mechanisms, avionics, harnesses, sensors, payloads, and other hardware.
Provide hands-on support during hardware builds and integration activities, troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, and system-level issues.
Assist with root-cause investigations, failure analysis, nonconformance resolution, and corrective actions.
Execute functional checkouts and support environmental testing, including thermal vacuum (TVAC), vibration, shock, and EMI/EMC testing.
Support test configuration planning, instrumentation, data acquisition, and development of tooling, fixtures, test equipment, and ground support equipment.
Review engineering drawings, CAD models, schematics, wiring diagrams, and requirements to verify hardware readiness.
Maintain configuration control, hardware traceability, test records, and accurate as-built documentation.
Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and program teams to meet integration schedules and resolve technical issues.
Identify opportunities to improve AIT processes, test repeatability, quality, efficiency, and production throughput, including supporting automated test equipment and test scripts.