Development Test Engineer

K2Spacecorporation; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision coverage

Job summary

K2 Space is seeking a hands-on Mechanical Engineer to own the testing of structural, thermal, fluid, and electromechanical subsystems for our high-power satellite platforms. You will define development test campaigns, build test setups, and work directly with flight hardware in the first year.

In 2 years you’ll lead larger campaigns, support production and qualification tests, and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or related engineering.
• Experience with CAD or FEA software packages.
• 2+ years in mechanical/structural/electromechanical design and analysis.
• Experience designing, building, and testing mechanical assemblies and test fixtures for aerospace or terrestrial applications.
• Hands-on fabrication experience.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Own kickoff, design, fabrication, build, operation, data collection, and conclusion/results for development tests
• Design test hardware, fixturing, and tooling using CAD, FEA, and hand calculations
• Have a hands-on approach to activating test stands, operating test equipment, instrumentation, and executing tests in a safe and organized manner
• Troubleshoot performance issues and recommend solutions during test campaigns
• Clearly communicate technical data, findings, and recommendations to team members across all levels of the organization
• Continuously improve test standards by creating tools, methods, and processes

Skills

Hands-on fabrication

Mechanical design and analysis

Test fixtures design

Data acquisition

Aerospace experience

CAD/FEA usage

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

CAD

FEA software

NX/Unigraphics

Teamcenter PLM

Simcenter 3D

Femap

HyperMesh

Python

MATLAB

Simulink

C++

LabVIEW

Job description

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, ICONIQ, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and T. Rowe Price — and with over $1 billion in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers, we're mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.

The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and tomorrow's massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.

With multiple launches in 2027 and plans to scale to 100 satellites a year, we're Building Bigger — helping develop the solar system and build toward a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a high-growth Series D-funded company, we'd love for you to apply.

The Role

You will own the success of component and subsystem testing across structural, thermal, fluid, dynamic, and electromechanical systems. In your first 6 months, you will define development test campaigns, design and build test setups, and be hands‑on with flight hardware. In your first year, you will validate designs through prototype testing and lead multidisciplinary test campaigns. In your first two years you will progressively take on larger tests while directly supporting production and qualification testing.

Responsibilities

• Own kickoff, design, fabrication, build, operation, data collection, and conclusion/results for development tests

• Design test hardware, fixturing, and tooling using CAD, FEA, and hand calculations

• Have a hands‑on approach to activating test stands, operating test equipment, instrumentation, and executing tests in a safe and organized manner

• Troubleshoot performance issues and recommend solutions during test campaigns

• Clearly communicate technical data, findings, and recommendations to team members across all levels of the organization

• Continuously improve test standards by creating tools, methods, and processes

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline

• Experience with CAD or FEA software packages

• 2+ years of industry experience with mechanical, structural, and/or electromechanical design and analysis

• Experience designing, building, and testing mechanical assemblies and test fixtures for aerospace or terrestrial applications (satellite mechanical systems, payloads, launch vehicles, propulsion systems, and/or aircraft structures and mechanisms)

• Hands‑on fabrication experience

Nice to Have

• Experience with data acquisition, controls, and dedicated test equipment (examples include motor dynos, material testers, vibration tables, environmental data loggers, motorsports DAQ)

• Experience with the practical application of GD&T

• Experience with NX (Unigraphics) and Teamcenter PLM

• Experience with performing structural analysis (Simcenter 3D, Femap, or Hypermesh)

• Basic practical programming abilities (Python, MATLAB, Simulink, C++, R, LabVIEW)

• Demonstrated ability to own mechanical hardware or systems within an integrated engineering team outside a classroom setting (High Power Rocketry, CubeSats, Robotics Competitions, Formula SAE and Baja SAE, Engineers without Borders, Design-Build-Fly, NASA student launch, personal entrepreneurial ventures, etc.)

• Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems in space environments and operations

• Independent and self-motivated mindset, with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $140,000 + equity in the company

• Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level

• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

Export Compliance

As defined in the ITAR, “U.S. Persons” include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a “U.S. Person.”

The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.

Equal Opportunity

K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.