Systems Engineer

About the Role

Space Kinetic is seeking a Systems Engineer to support the development, integration, and testing of spacecraft and mission systems. This role is ideal for an early-career engineer interested in gaining hands-on experience across spacecraft systems, engineering integration, and mission development. This is not a role for someone looking for a traditional 40-hour work week.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development, documentation, and maintenance of spacecraft system and subsystem requirements.
• Assist with translating mission objectives and technical needs into clear, measurable engineering requirements.
• Support the identification and documentation of interfaces between spacecraft subsystems, including avionics, electrical power, structures, payloads, software, and ground systems.
• Assist with requirements traceability, technical documentation, and engineering configuration management.
• Participate in system architecture development, design reviews, and technical trade studies.
• Support spacecraft assembly, integration, and test (AIT) activities.
• Assist with developing and executing integration, verification, and validation plans and test procedures.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, GNC, and payload engineering teams to resolve technical issues.
• Support troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and documentation of engineering anomalies.
• Contribute to engineering reports, presentations, test documentation, and technical deliverables.
• Learn and apply Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) principles and tools to support system-level engineering activities.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• 0-3 years of relevant engineering experience, including internships, university research, capstone projects, or hands-on engineering projects.
• Foundational understanding of systems engineering principles and the spacecraft development lifecycle.
• Familiarity with mechanical, electrical, software, or aerospace subsystems and how they interact within a larger system.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and system-level documentation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and technical communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Curiosity, adaptability, and willingness to learn in a fast-paced startup environment.

What We’d Love

• Internship, research, or project experience involving spacecraft, satellites, launch vehicles, aerospace hardware, or defense systems.
• Exposure to spacecraft assembly, integration, and testing (AIT).
• Familiarity with systems engineering tools such as Cameo, SysML, Jama, DOORS, or similar platforms.
• Basic understanding of requirements development, interface control documents (ICDs), and requirements traceability.
• Exposure to verification and validation methods, test procedures, or hardware troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with Python, MATLAB, or other engineering analysis tools.
• Participation in university aerospace organizations, CubeSat programs, rocketry teams, robotics competitions, or engineering design projects.

Location

• The position is onsite at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA.
• Domestic travel may be required (up to ~10% of the year).

Compensation & 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 Range: $80,000 USD - $115,000 USD