Satellite Mechanical Engineer Los Angeles, CA

K2 Space Corporation; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision coverage

Life insurance

Paid parental leave

Job summary

A cutting-edge aerospace startup in Los Angeles seeks a Mechanical Engineer to lead the design and development of satellite mechanical systems. The role involves taking designs from conceptualization through to on-orbit operations and requires collaboration with cross-functional teams. Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering with experience in CAD and FEA software. The position offers a competitive salary range of $90,000 – $140,000, plus a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience with mechanical and/or electromechanical design.
• Experience with CAD or FEA software packages.
• Practical application of GD&T.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical hardware from design to on-orbit operations.
• Drive hardware development and testing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for product requirements.

Skills

CAD software

FEA software

Mechanical design

Electromechanical design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

GD&T

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 $450M from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others – with an additional $500M 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 planned through 2026 and 2027, we’re Building Bigger to develop the solar system and become 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 groundbreaking Series C space startup, we’d love for you to apply.

The Role

You will own the success of mechanical structures, mechanisms, and electromechanical subsystems that will be key to our satellite operation. In your first 6 months, you will define product requirements, create initial concepts and trades, perform preliminary and detailed analysis, define development test campaigns, and produce development hardware. In your first year, you will validate your designs through prototype iterations and build and qualify flight hardware. In your first two years you will progressively take on larger scope sub‑systems while directly supporting production and integration.

Responsibilities

• Take satellite mechanical hardware and mechanisms from conceptual design through qualification to on‑orbit operations in order to support internal and external customer needs
• Lead satellite subsystem design reviews from kickoff through qualification and beyond
• Drive hardware development, including hands‑on development testing, analysis correlation, and follow‑on hardware iterations
• Perform hardware trades that steer both sub‑system and top‑level product direction
• Collaborate with a cross‑functional team to establish product requirements, company processes, and best practices for hardware design and manufacturing
• Continually own and refine sub‑system deliverable schedules throughout development and production

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
• Experience with CAD or FEA software packages
• Experience with the practical application of GD&T
• 2+ years of experience with mechanical and/or electromechanical design and analysis (internship, team project, graduate research, and extracurricular experience is applicable)

Nice to Have

• Experience designing, building, and testing mechanical assemblies for aerospace applications (satellite mechanical systems, payloads, launch vehicles, propulsion systems, and/or aircraft structures and mechanisms)
• 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 $90,000 – $140,000 + equity in the company
• Salary will be based on a number of 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 don’t meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non‑traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!

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 Employer

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.