Full-Time

CNC Machinist

Posted on 7/19/2025

Space Kinetic

Space Kinetic

11-50 employees

Propellant-free payload deployment system for space

Compensation Overview

$100k - $160k/yr

+ Equity-Based Compensation + Bonus

El Segundo, CA, USA

In Person

Category
Mechanical Engineering (1)
Requirements
  • Minimum 8 years as a Machinist
  • proficient in Mastercam (or similar CAM package)
  • CNC experience with 3 axis mills and lathes
  • 5-axis CNC mills and Mill-Turn lathes a (bonus)
  • Setup proficiency for complex parts with tight tolerances
  • Aerospace tolerances
  • Leadership experience training and mentoring machinists
  • Strong problem-solving and ability to work independently
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Collaborative team-oriented approach
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident to meet U.S. Government export regulations
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Government Security Clearance
  • Experience programming 3 or 5 axis in Mastercam
  • Experience setting up and operating Okuma Multus B300 Millturn, Okuma Genos M560V-5AX, Okuma Genos M660 CNC machines
  • Ability to build prototype poised for flight testing and iterate designs
Responsibilities
  • Manufacture and assemble parts critical for rapid prototyping of Space Kinetic’s core technology to iterate designs and support engineering team toward flight
  • Generate CAM packages for manufacturing
  • Program 3 or 5 axis in Mastercam
  • Set up and operate Okuma Multus B300 Millturn, Okuma Genos M560V-5AX, Okuma Genos M660 CNC machines
  • Build a prototype poised for flight testing, refine and iterate designs for speed and quality of prototyping efforts
  • Lead and mentor machinists? (Not explicitly stated as responsibility; but includes leadership and training in requirements)
  • Ensure parts meet aerospace tolerances and quality standards
  • Collaborate with engineering team and provide feedback for design improvements
  • Maintain safety and compliance with ITAR and export regulations
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience with 5-axis CNC mills and Mill-Turn lathes (bonus)
  • Experience in aerospace or high-precision manufacturing environments
  • ITAR familiarity
  • Ability to work onsite in El Segundo, CA
  • Understanding of prototype development lifecycle and rapid iteration pipelines
  • Strong initiative and ownership of projects

Space Kinetic develops dual-use space technology for national security, focusing on a propellant-free electromechanical deployment system called Longbow. The system uses a rotary mechanism to accelerate and release multiple payloads from a host satellite, delivering high-velocity, instantaneous changes in trajectory without firing thrusters. This creates a low-signature, flexible method for maneuvering assets in space and aims to bring space mobility and rapid in-space logistics to defense and commercial markets. The company differentiates itself through its propellant-free approach, a tested model built from a garage prototype, and close collaborations with national labs (Los Alamos and Sandia) and government programs (US Space Force, DARPA, NSF, SBIR with the Air Force). Its goal is to provide deployable payload deployment systems and in-space mobility solutions to support space superiority and missile defense, enabling proliferated drone-like capabilities in space.

Company Size

11-50

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Founded

2022

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • US Space Force contracts drive responsive space operations demand in 2025.
  • DARPA programs expand in-space logistics opportunities for Longbow integration.
  • CerraCap Ventures' $12M seed in August 2025 accelerates Whirlwind development.

What critics are saying

  • Chinese Shijian-21 outpaces Longbow with robotic arms in 6-12 months.
  • Lockheed MX-10A's 15 km/s speeds defeat slower payloads by February 2026.
  • DARPA terminates SBIR Phase II over 40% overruns in 3-6 months.

What makes Space Kinetic unique

  • Longbow deploys payloads from host satellites using propellant-free rotary mechanism.
  • Brings drone economics to space with one-to-many operational flexibility.
  • Patented electromechanical system targets space superiority and missile defense.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Equity-Based Compensation

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Unique Performance-Based Bonus Structure

Health and Wellness Stipend

Commuter Benefits

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

15%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

8%
FinSMEs
Aug 19th, 2025
Space Kinetic Receives Investment from CerraCap Ventures

Space Kinetic, an Albuquerque, NM-based U.S.-licensed national security operator, received an investment from CerraCap Ventures

PR Newswire
Aug 19th, 2025
CerraCap Ventures Invests in Space Kinetic, Driving Breakthrough - Space Superiority and Missile Defense Innovation

CerraCap Ventures invests in Space Kinetic, driving breakthrough - Space superiority and missile defense innovation.

SpaceNews
Apr 18th, 2023
AWS chooses 14 startups for its third space accelerator program

Amazon Web Services said April 18 it picked 14 U.S. and European startups to join its third annual space accelerator program kicking off in May to boost ventures with solutions for improving space sustainability.

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