Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) Engineer

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, attainable, 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 # 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:

We are seeking an Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) Engineer to support the assembly, integration, verification, and testing of complex aerospace hardware and systems.This hands-on engineering role will help move hardware from engineering release through assembly, integration, functional testing, environmental testing, and final verification. The ideal candidate has practical experience working with aerospace hardware, understands mechanical and electrical integration fundamentals, and enjoys troubleshooting technical challenges in a fast-paced development environment.

You will collaborate with mechanical, electrical, systems, software, manufacturing, quality, and test engineering teams to ensure hardware is assembled correctly, tested thoroughly, and delivered on schedule.

Job Responsibilities:

• Support assembly, integration, and testing activities for aerospace vehicles, spacecraft, payloads, subsystems, and ground support equipment.
• Develop and maintain assembly procedures, work instructions, integration plans, and test procedures.
• Perform mechanical and electrical integration of structures, mechanisms, avionics, harnesses, sensors, payloads, and other hardware.
• Provide hands-on support during hardware builds and integration activities; troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and system-level issues.
• Assist with root cause investigations, failure analysis, nonconformance resolution, and corrective actions.
• Execute functional checkouts and support environmental testing, including thermal vacuum (TVAC), vibration, shock, and EMI/EMC testing.
• Support test configuration planning, instrumentation, data acquisition, and the development of tooling, fixtures, test equipment, and ground support equipment.
• Review engineering drawings, CAD models, schematics, wiring diagrams, and requirements to verify hardware readiness.
• Maintain configuration control, hardware traceability, test records, and accurate as-built documentation.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and program teams to meet integration schedules and resolve technical issues.
• Identify opportunities to improve AIT processes, test repeatability, quality, efficiency, and production throughput, including supporting automated test equipment and test scripts.

What It Takes

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 2+ years of relevant professional experience in aerospace, defense, aviation, spacecraft, manufacturing, hardware integration, or test engineering.
• Hands-on experience with hardware assembly, integration, testing, manufacturing, or production processes.
• Experience developing, maintaining, or executing assembly procedures, work instructions, or test procedures.
• Ability to troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, or system-level hardware issues and contribute to root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, GD&T, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, or technical requirements.
• Understanding of engineering configuration control, hardware traceability, and technical documentation.
• Ability to work effectively with technicians and engineers in hands-on build and test environments.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, organization, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to take ownership of assigned tasks, resolve issues, and work across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

What We'd Love

• Experience with spacecraft, satellites, launch vehicles, payloads, missiles, aircraft, or other flight hardware.
• Exposure to subsystem integration, vehicle-level verification, qualification testing, or acceptance testing.
• Familiarity with environmental testing, including TVAC, vibration, shock, acoustics, and EMI/EMC.
• Experience with avionics, electrical power systems, wiring harnesses, sensors, RF systems, mechanisms, or propulsion systems.
• Familiarity with mechanical assembly processes, including bolted joints, precision alignment, bonding, staking, torquing, shimming, and flight hardware installation.
• Experience with test fixtures, integration tooling, ground support equipment, or automated test equipment.
• Familiarity with oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, power supplies, electronic loads, or data acquisition systems.
• Experience with CAD and PLM tools, such as Siemens NX or SolidWorks.
• Familiarity with aerospace workmanship, quality standards, and launch-site integration.
• Interest in scaling hardware integration and test processes for higher-rate production.

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
• Competitive PTO
• Paid company holidays and winter break
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Performance-based bonus opportunities

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. lawful permanent resident, a refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, an asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Space Kinetic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. The annual base salary for this role is below. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data.  Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education/experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate, and internal equity.