CAD Design Engineer

Space Kinetic•El Segundo, CA

15h•$100,000 - $140,000•Onsite

About The Position

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. The CAD Design Engineer will design and build prototypes for the 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/engineering team to finalize the current prototype's CAD design. This entails refining the design with detailed tolerancing to cover all prototype development phases, completing mechanism design, providing 2D CAD drawings for manufacturing, and working with vendors to source components. Following this, you will be responsible for enhancing the prototype design to achieve significant weight reduction, targeting a 30% decrease and increasing its stiffness and rigidity. The next phase involves revising the mechanism designs to incorporate the latest advancements, minimizing the vibration within the system. Subsequently, the prototype will undergo a mechanical redesign to ensure it is suitable for manufacturing, with specific attention to tolerancing for plating processes. Additionally, you will adapt the prototype for future tests, such as air bearing, zero-g flights, and T-Vac chamber testing. This includes making structural adjustments to facilitate testing in various orientations and environments while ensuring the design meets rigorous safety standards. Finally, the role involves comprehensive ongoing analysis of test data to inform and drive necessary design changes throughout the project duration. We should move closer to a flight-ready prototype with each new design iteration.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
Minimum of 2 years of related experience.
Proven experience in aerospace or mechanical engineering.
Skilled in mechanical design and space mechanisms.
Proficient in SolidWorks.
Proficient in GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing).
Proficient in Space Mechanism Design.
Proficient in Test Structure Design.
Experience in Build for Manufacturing (collaborating with machinists and designing for manufacturing).
Expertise in Vibration analysis and design.
Expertise in Rotary Component Design.
Expertise in Space Structural Design.
Demonstrated Aerospace experience.
Experience in executing experiments in a laboratory or R&D environment.
Skilled in data collection.
Adept at implementing design modifications based on experimental outcomes.
Ability to work with minimal direction or support.
Ability 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.
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), Refugee, or Asylee, or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.
Ability to maintain or obtain a Government Security Clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience with space-grade components and ratings.
Adept in testing for in-space operations.
Passion for the commercial and government space industry.
Demonstrated experience in spacecraft or launch vehicle system development.

Responsibilities

Design and build prototypes for Space Kinetic's core technology.
Finalize the current prototype's CAD design, including detailed tolerancing for all prototype development phases.
Complete mechanism design.
Provide 2D CAD drawings for manufacturing.
Work with vendors to source components.
Enhance the prototype design for significant weight reduction (targeting 30% decrease) and increased stiffness and rigidity.
Revise mechanism designs to incorporate advancements and minimize system vibration.
Redesign the prototype for manufacturing, with attention to tolerancing for plating processes.
Adapt the prototype for future tests (air bearing, zero-g flights, T-Vac chamber testing), including structural adjustments for various orientations and environments.
Ensure the design meets rigorous safety standards.
Analyze test data to inform and drive design changes throughout the project.
Iteratively improve the prototype towards a flight-ready design.