Lead Spacecraft Mechanisms Engineer - High-Rate Production

K2 Space Corporation; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid time off

Parental leave

Medical/dental/vision coverage

Job summary

K2 Space Corporation is seeking a Principal Manufacturing Engineer to lead high-rate production of spacecraft mechanisms, from initial concept to flight hardware. You will shape build flows, fixturing, and tooling, partnering with Mechanisms Engineering to ensure manufacturability and testability across actuators, gimbals, and reaction wheel assemblies.

In your first six months you’ll build test articles, provide DFX guidance, and help set factory policy and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical, or related engineering.
• 10+ years in high-volume, rapid production environment (manufacturing, integration, or design engineering).
• Proven track record of leading product development or process improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of NASA-STD-5017 and AIAA S-114, and environmental qualification standards (SMC-S-016, GSFC-7000).

Responsibilities

• Lead DFX reviews across mechanisms, machined components, and assemblies for initial design, flight hardware, and tooling.
• Develop manufacturing systems for spacecraft mechanisms (actuators, gimbals, wheel assemblies).
• Set manufacturing policy, standards, and best practices for the ME organization; identify and mitigate risks.
• Plan manufacturing strategy, tooling, and capacity investments for future designs and roadmaps.
• Research and pilot new assembly methods and automation to optimize production.
• Create custom tools, automation, and MES software to support ME and speed up workflows.
• Demonstrate advanced manufacturing techniques on prototypes and improve manufacturability of designs.
• Build test articles and support development and qualification campaigns.
• Develop subassembly build flow to align with takt times and production needs.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers and cross-functional peers.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

DFX / design-for-excellence

GD&T & drawings review

Mechanisms manufacturing

Mentoring junior engineers

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical engineering

10+ years in high-volume production environment

Tools

NX CAD

Python

SQL

MES systems

Job description

K2 Space Corporation is seeking a Principal Manufacturing Engineer to lead high-rate production of spacecraft mechanisms, from initial concept to flight hardware. You will shape build flows, fixturing, and tooling, partnering with Mechanisms Engineering to ensure manufacturability and testability across actuators, gimbals, and reaction wheel assemblies.

In your first six months you’ll build test articles, provide DFX guidance, and help set factory policy and standards.