Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering Intern

Job Description

Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering Internship | Space Kinetic Corp.

The Tone:
This is an internship at Space Kinetic Corp., located in El Segundo, CA. Space Kinetic is a startup creating a new architecture for space operations, bringing the advantages of proliferated drone technology to space missions and reducing the ecosystem’s reliance on consumable fuel. They are focused on creating a ‘one-to-many’ system, where satellites deploy multiple payloads at high velocities without firing a thruster, moving away from traditional one-to-one architectures. This role is critical for designing and building prototypes for their core technology, paving the way for a flight demonstration within two years, and offers a potential path to a full-time position.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Location: In-person, El Segundo, CA
• Pay: $20–$30 hourly
• Team: Supports the Engineering and Manufacturing Teams
• Mission: Design and build prototypes for Space Kinetic’s core technology to achieve a flight demo within two years.
• Tech Stack: SolidWorks, CAD software, Mechanical FEA tools

What You’ll Actually Do
• Support the Engineering team in designing and building prototypes for Space Kinetic’s core technology.
• Finalize the current prototype’s CAD design to prepare for manufacturing.
• Enhance designs by applying precise tolerancing across all prototype development stages.
• Collaborate with vendors to source components required for prototype development.
• Support finite element analysis (FEA) simulations for the system and create models for current and full-scale systems.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Currently enrolled in an Engineering Degree program or a recent college graduate (within the last semester or recently graduated) from an accredited college or university.
• Experience: Prior experience in solid modeling, drawing release of structures, and actuator mechanisms. Comfortable working in a self-driven entrepreneurial workplace that requires urgency and a high level of commitment.
• Skills: Proficiency with CAD software, specifically SolidWorks. Must be a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. lawful permanent resident, Refugee, or Asylee, or eligible to obtain required authorizations to conform to U.S. Government export regulations (ITAR). Ability to maintain or obtain Government Security Clearance.
• Bonus: Master’s degree or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. Ability to work with minimal direction, learn quickly, demonstrate strong analytical skills, and think creatively. Familiarity with space-grade components and ratings, Mechanical FEA tools, testing in-space operations, the commercial and government space industry, spacecraft or launch vehicle system development, CNC Machining, or Additive Manufacturing.