# Director of Engineering: Deployables (micro-satellites) at Space Kinetic > United States · Director+ · Other · open. Source: https://alderhq.app/jobs/greenhouse%3Aspacekinetic%3A5361281008 (read 2026-11-07). ## Facts (observed) - Company: [Space Kinetic](https://alderhq.app/companies/space-kinetic) - Location text: El Segundo, California; El Segundo, CA - Where it can be done from (inferred): United States (evidence: "Location: El Segundo, California; El Segundo, CA") - Posted: 2026-07-16 (114 days ago) - First seen by alder: 2026-11-02 · last verified: 2026-11-04 - Reposted: 0 times · edited: 0 times - Apply on the employer's site: https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/spacekinetic/jobs/5361281008 - Skills listed (inferred): Distributed systems ## Pay and sponsorship - Posted pay: $195k–$220k per year (from the listing's pay field) - Market band for similar posted roles (Los Angeles, n 230): p25 $171k, median $210k, p75 $243k ## Description (the employer's text) 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, attritable, 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 number 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: The Director of Engineering, Deployables will lead the development of ruggedized microsatellites compatible with Space Kinetic’s high-velocity Whirlwind deployment system. This role owns the deployable system from concept through flight, including design, fabrication, integration, testing, qualification, and production transition. Job Responsibilities: - Lead deployable microsatellite development from concept through flight. - Own system design, analysis, fabrication, integration, testing, and qualification. - Design hardware capable of surviving Whirlwind’s high-G operating environment. - Lead design reviews and provide direction across multidisciplinary engineering teams. - Produce mechanical designs, drawings, tolerance analyses, and technical documentation. - Build prototype, development, qualification, and flight hardware. - Plan and execute functional, deployment, vibration, shock, thermal-vacuum, thermal-cycle, and life-cycle testing. - Resolve hardware failures, manufacturing issues, and supplier component challenges. What It Takes: - Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline. - 8+ years of experience developing complex aerospace or high-performance mechanical systems. - Experience designing precision mechanical assemblies. - Experience taking hardware from concept through qualification or production. - Proficiency with Siemens NX, Creo, SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar 3D CAD software. - Strong knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and Design for Manufacturing. - Understanding of structural mechanics, material selection, and mechanical design principles. - Strong communication and technical leadership skills, with the ability to obtain a security clearance. What We'd Love: - Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline. - Experience developing spacecraft or launch vehicle hardware from prototype through production. - Experience with environmental qualification testing, including vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, acoustic, and deployment testing. - Familiarity with FEA tools such as ANSYS, Abaqus, or Nastran. - Hands-on experience with machining, composites, sheet metal, or additive manufacturing. - Experience supporting government, national security, NASA, or commercial spaceflight programs. Where You'll Be: - The position is onsite at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA. Domestic travel may be required (up to ~20% of the year). What We Offer: - 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 ITAR Requirements: To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be (i) a U.S. citizen or national, (ii) a U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) a refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, (iv) an asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. --- Data: alder (https://alderhq.app). Cite https://alderhq.app/jobs/greenhouse%3Aspacekinetic%3A5361281008 and the date you read it. Observed facts come from the employer's own listing; location reach, level, family and skills are inferences.