Senior Mechanism Simulation Engineer

Space Kinetic is building the next generation of space payload capabilities within the Mechanical Engineering organization, with work focused on high-fidelity structural and kinematics design analysis. As a Senior Mechanism Simulation Engineer, you will help drive prototype and flight hardware development through simulation, V&V test development, and qualification testing, supporting the Whirlwind Payload and ongoing scaling and optimization to meet mission needs in the next two years and for full production.

Role and focus

In this onsite position in El Segundo, CA, you will partner across engineering and functional teams to analyze mechanisms for prototype and flight configurations, develop and execute validation and verification (V&V) approaches, and translate test outcomes into design improvements. The work includes supporting the design lifecycle from early mechanism conception and verification through hardware validation and flight qualification testing.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with manufacturing and engineering teams to develop the innovative Whirlwind Payload design and analyze corresponding flight hardware.
• Provide the design team with detailed mechanism simulations for prototype and flight hardware.
• Support development phases by conceiving and verifying mechanism designs, feeding guidance back to CAD for manufacturing, and working with vendors to source components.
• Develop validation and verification (V&V) tests that inform prototype design improvements and meet space operations mission requirements.
• Scale and optimize mechanism designs to improve flight system performance.
• Conduct hardware validation and verification and participate in flight hardware qualification testing.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Structural Engineering.
• 10+ years of experience in structural analysis for spacecraft, launch vehicles, or equivalent aerospace hardware.
• Experience with space vehicle structural load requirements across mission phases (ground handling, transportation, launch/ascent, separation events, on-orbit operations, and disposal) is highly desirable.
• Ability to understand mission concepts, trajectory, motion kinematics, and flight dynamics; deriving structural design limit loads and requirements is a plus.
• Understanding of design limit loads and experience calculating mechanical margins of safety using applicable factors of safety per standards (NASA, DoD, ECSS, etc.).
• Experience with CAD and CAE packages including NASTRAN, FEMAP, ANSYS, SolidWorks, NX, Simcenter 3D, Vibroacoustic, Thermal Desktop, NX Motion, Amesim, etc.
• Ability to develop mathematical models and run simulations for structural margins, kinematics simulations, and dynamics environments.
• Experience designing and executing system and subsystem dynamics and kinematics testing, including test data acquisition and applying improvements based on results.
• Capability to evaluate static, dynamic, transient, shock, random and sine vibration, as well as vibroacoustic and kinematics environments.
• Ability to work closely with Structures, Thermal, GNC, Propulsion, manufacturing, and System Engineering teams.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Government Security Clearance.

Technologies

• NASTRAN, FEMAP, ANSYS
• SolidWorks, NX
• Simcenter 3D, Vibroacoustic, Thermal Desktop
• NX Motion, Amesim
• CAD, CAE

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
• Relocation assistance

ITAR and eligibility

This position is subject to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR. Candidates must be a U.S. Person (as defined by law) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Salary and application

• Pay: $140,000.00 - $200,000.00 per year
• Work location: In person

Application question: Do you have the ability to obtain and maintain a Government Security Clearance?