Senior Structural Analysis Engineer

A New Paradigm For Space Operations. Who We Are: 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. What You’ll Do: We are seeking a Senior Structural Analysis Engineer with 5+ years of experience to perform structural analysis across spacecraft, payload, and deployment-system hardware. Job Responsibilities: Conduct and document static, thermo-mechanical, dynamic, vibration, buckling, fatigue, and fracture analyses using finite element analysis and first-principles methods Develop structural models to predict stress, deformation, dynamic response, failure modes, and margins of safety Define load cases and operating environments for spacecraft and flight hardware Perform hand calculations and analytical modeling to validate results and guide design decisions Collaborate with design, manufacturing, systems, and test engineers to develop lightweight, reliable, and manufacturable hardware Support structural test planning, instrumentation, execution, data processing, and correlation of models to test results Lead structural design trades, mass optimization, and resolution of hardware issues throughout development Document and present analysis findings during internal, customer, and program design reviews What It Takes : Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, applied physics, or a related technical discipline 5+ of experience in structural analysis, stress analysis, structural dynamics, loads development, or a related field Strong foundation in statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, fatigue, fracture mechanics, and material behavior Proficiency with finite element analysis tools such as FEMAP/NASTRAN, ANSYS, Abaqus, or equivalent tools Experience performing static, modal, buckling, vibration, or nonlinear structural…