Summer 2026

Structural Analysis Engineer Intern

Posted on 4/22/2026

Space Kinetic

Space Kinetic

11-50 employees

Propellant-free payload deployment system for space

Compensation Overview

$20 - $30/hr

No H1B Sponsorship

El Segundo, CA, USA

In Person

US Citizenship Required

Category
Architecture & Civil Engineering (1)
Requirements
  • Currently enrolled for a Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Structural Engineering degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Must be a recent college graduate OR graduate within the last semester of your program.
  • Analytical, problem-solving, and electrical skills are required
  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
  • Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, self-driven, rapidly growing entrepreneurial workplace
  • Ability to work with minimal direction or support and to learn quickly; strong analytical skills; creative and innovative thinking; detail-oriented; calm under pressure; commitment to follow-through; enthusiastic with a talent for motivating others; receptive to criticism and open to others' ideas; and effective in written communication.
  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder).
  • Ability to maintain or obtain Government Security Clearance.
Responsibilities
  • Assist in structural analysis model intake and build-out to test correlation and flight readiness.
  • Be a driving force for continuous improvement of the facility while working with all levels of the organization.
  • Support the Engineering team to help design and build prototypes for Space Kinetic’s core technology to achieve a flight demo within the next 2 years in a fast-paced startup environment.
Desired Qualifications
  • Familiarity with scripting in Python or MATLAB for automation of Finite Element Method workflows and post-processing.
  • Hands-on experience supporting vibration, acoustic, or shock testing, including fixture design and instrumentation planning.
  • Passion for the commercial and government space industry.
  • Passion for spacecraft or launch vehicle system development.

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.

INACTIVE