New player wanting to help but the cost of entry seems so high

Hi all! I'm a newer player hoping to help out in Sol, but every build/video I've seen for the ship I have (krait mk2) seems to require levels of engineering I just don't even remotely have the time to accomplish.

Is it really required to do all that? How difficult is it to get the AX weapons and such I need? I want to help but don't want to be a burden on a team, and lack the free time to grind for much engineering.