Jacob Kurtz

Lead Vehicle Engineer at Impulse Space

United States

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Updated 8 months ago

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15+

Years Experience

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Education

About

I am interested in the rapid development and reliable execution of Space 2.0 systems. I learned quick and agile development from SpaceX and rigorous execution from Northrop Grumman. My team at Impulse takes the best of both worlds to solve difficult mechanical problems.

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Experience (14 roles)

Full-time · 2 yrs 7 mos

Current

2 roles · Jan 2023 - Present

Lead Vehicle Engineer

Current

Jul 2024 - Present · 1 yr 1 mo

I am leading the vehicle development of Helios, Impulse's high energy kick stage. Helios has the capability to lift 5+ tons directly from LEO to GEO in less than a day. Team responsibilities include primary and secondary structures, mechanisms, payload accommodations, and system architecture.

Sr. Structural Analysis Engineer

Jan 2023 - Jul 2024 · 1 yr 7 mos

I supported the development and execution of our Mira V1 spacecraft for both LEO Express 1 and LEO Express 2 missions. I acted as the Vehicle structures RE for the LEO Express 2 mission. Primary responsibilities included system structural dynamics and loads analysis, system and component stress an...

3 yrs 7 mos

2 roles · May 2019 - Nov 2022

Principal Structural Engineer

Jun 2021 - Nov 2022 · 1 yr 6 mos

I supported structural dynamic analysis and testing of three spacecraft systems and several payloads. I worked projects ranging from proposals, to rapid development programs, to Class-A systems. Responsibilities included developing system and payload level loads and environments, developing system ...

Structural Engineer

May 2019 - Jun 2021 · 2 yrs 2 mos

SpaceX

2 roles · May 2017 - Jan 2019

Structures Engineer

Jun 2018 - Jan 2019 · 8 mos·Hawthorne, California

I was responsible for the primary and secondary structures of the Trunk on the Dragon 2 spacecraft. Responsibilities included the design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, integration, and verification of the system and subsystems. Dragon 2 Demo 1, Solar Array Side.jpg Dragon 2 Demo 1, Radiator Sid...

Associate Structures Engineer

May 2017 - Aug 2017 · 4 mos·Hawthorne, California

I worked on improving the reusability and reliability of the Dragon 1 spacecraft. I designed and analyzed the production proof test fixture for the Dragon 1 heatshield; investigated and resolved flight risks using structural testing. Recovery of Dragon 1

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Education (3)

University of Michigan

2017 - 2018

Grade: 4.0 Activities and societies: Michigan Exploration Laboratory I earned a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering focusing on Structures and Materials. While at the University of Michigan I worked in the Michigan Exploration Laboratory (MXL) as the Structural Lead for the MARIO 3U CubeSat.

Michigan Technological University

2013 - 2016

Grade: 3.98 Activities and societies: Alpha Phi Omega, Tau Beta Pi, Aerospace Enterprise, WMTU DJ I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Aerospace Engineering with highest honors. While at MTU, I performed undergraduate research, worked on nanosatellites as a structures team member of the Aerospace Enterprise, participated in two co-ops, was a vice president of Alpha Phi Omega, and was a DJ on WMTU.

Northwestern Michigan College

2011 - 2013

Grade: 3.96 Activities and societies: Phi Theta Kappa, SAE Baja, WNMC DJ, Study Abroad I earned an Associate of Science and Arts degree with highest honors. While at NMC I studied abroad in Russia, performed undergraduate research, worked on two SAE Baja vehicles, and was a DJ on WNMC

Skills (21)

SolidWorksPowerPointAltairMicrosoft OfficeAbaqusPublic SpeakingMatlabFlowMicrosoft ExcelANSAAerospace EngineeringDesign for ManufacturingData AnalysisSiemens NXTutoringMechanical EngineeringSimulationsANSYSLS-DYNAResearchFlow

Volunteer Experience (1)▼

Vice President and Secretary

Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity

Sep 2013 - Apr 2016 · 2 yrs 8 mos

Honors & Awards (5)▼

Tau Beta Pi

Issued by Tau Beta Pi Association · May 2014

Tau Beta Pi s the oldest engineering honor society in the United States and the second oldest collegiate honor society in America. It honors engineering students who have shown a history of academic achievement as well as a commitment to personal and professional integrity. Undergraduate students whose scholarship places them in the top eighth of their engineering class in their next-to-last year or in the top fifth of their engineering class in their last college year are eligible for membership consideration.

William H Lange Endowed

Issued by Michigan Technological University · Apr 2015

A student will be considered an eligible candidate via his application for financial aid and maintaining a 3.0 GPA.

Phi Theta Kappa

Issued by Phi Theta Kappa Society · Aug 2012

Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society of two-year colleges and academic programs, particularly community colleges and junior colleges. To qualify for initial Phi Theta Kappa membership, a student must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Thereafter, a Phi Theta Kappa member must maintain a high academic standing to remain a member in good standing.

Northwestern Michigan College Honors Scholarship

Issued by Northwestern Michigan College · Aug 2012

Honors Scholarships are awarded to outstanding full- and part-time students, who have completed at least one course for honors or are completing an honors contract at the time of application. When taking on an Honors contract, the student must go above and beyond the expectations laid out in the coursework. The student negotiates what actions must be taken during a semester to fulfill an honors status with the course director.

Joseph H. Rogers Science and Math Award

Issued by Northwestern Michigan College · Dec 2012

The Joseph H. Rogers Science-Mathematics Scholarship is awarded to a second year student in the Science program. To qualify for this award, recipients must be enrolled in 12 or more credits and have a GPA of 3.0 or better in the science program and cumulative.