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Salary: USD 140,000 - 170,000 / annual
K2 Space is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, backed by over $1 billion in total funding and $1 billion in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers. The company is mass-producing advanced satellite platforms for missions from LEO to deep space, with multiple launches planned for 2027 and scaling to 100 satellites per year.
In this role, you will partner with the Mechanisms Engineering team to ensure manufacturability of complex spacecraft mechanisms including rotational actuators, separation mechanisms, gimbals, and reaction wheel assemblies. You will design and build the first prototype, develop the build flow and custom tooling, and finalize the manufacturing process for transition to production.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead design-for-excellence (DFX) guidance to design teams, providing design guidance for mechanisms, machined components, and assemblies
- Develop innovative manufacturing systems and processes for spacecraft mechanisms
- Create custom tools and Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software to support manufacturing technologies
- Demonstrate advanced manufacturing techniques on prototypes and iterate based on design feedback
- Build test articles and support the Mechanisms Engineering team's development and qualification test campaigns
- Develop subassembly build flows and optimize production efficiency to align with takt times
- Mentor junior manufacturing engineers and technicians on mechanisms manufacturing best practices
- Partner with advanced manufacturing engineers to lead R&D of novel manufacturing technologies
In your first 6 months, you will develop manufacturing methods and tooling for mechanisms, define manufacturing flows for subsystems, and build test articles. In your first year, you will own implementation of advanced manufacturing techniques on flight hardware, scale technology to high-rate production, and mentor team members.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
- 6+ years of experience in high-volume, rapid production environment in manufacturing, integration, and/or design engineering role
- Demonstrated track record of leading product development and/or process improvement initiatives
- Strong understanding of mechanisms-specific industry standards (NASA-STD-5017, AIAA S-114, SMC-S-016, GSFC-STD-7000)
- Strong understanding of setting up and scaling manufacturing/production floor for first article builds
- Deep understanding of mechanisms subassembly manufacturing technologies (rotational actuators, separation mechanisms, gimbals, reaction wheel assemblies)
- Strong understanding of DFX principles with ability to guide design teams
- Strong understanding of GD&T and mechanical assembly drawings
NICE TO HAVE:
- Familiarity with precision bearing standards (ABMA) and bearing preload techniques
- Strong understanding of tooling design for mechanisms and electromechanical subassemblies
- Understanding of wire harness manufacturing and integration
- Demonstrated ability to develop production processes from ground up
- Track record of working closely with production teams and technician workflows
- Understanding of aerospace manufacturing standards (lubrication, torque, quality assurance)
- Familiarity with CAD software (NX or equivalent)
- Understanding of MES systems and procedure creation
