Senior Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technician (Optical)

K2 Space; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in the company

Health benefits

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

K2 Space is seeking an experienced optical hardware technician in the Los Angeles area to support fabrication, assembly, and testing of optical subsystems for the mega-class satellite program. You will work closely with design engineering, perform precision inspections, and help ensure alignment, bonding, and data reporting meet strict tolerances.

The role demands hands-on experience with optical components, clean room practices, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven

Qualifications

• 5+ years assembling, integrating, and testing optical hardware or adjacent hardware.
• Proficiency with MS Office and shop floor management software.
• Demonstrate ownership and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to learn, adapt and work independently.
• Dexterity to handle delicate objects in a dynamic lab.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Experience with FOD, ESD sensitive hardware and clean room needs.
• Familiarity with optical cleanliness practices and lab solvents.

Responsibilities

• Partner with design engineering to support hardware development and validation testing.
• Perform precision inspection, cleaning, bonding, and troubleshooting of optical components to exact tolerances.
• Operate precision tooling including microscopes, UV curing equipment, and optical alignment tooling.
• Execute work from verbal instructions, drawings, and procedures with minimal supervision.
• Build, align, integrate, test, and maintain optical systems including freespace optics and fiber assemblies.
• Own test setup, execution, and data reporting with accuracy and traceability.
• Maintain ground support equipment performance and calibration.
• Champion laser safety and 5S standards on the production floor.

Skills

Optical hardware

MS Office

Ownership

Independent learner

Dexterity

Communication

FOD/ESD

Clean room

Tools

Interferometers

Autocollimators

Power meters

Theodolites

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 supportthefabrication and assembly ofopticalsubsystems, production tooling, andgeneratehardwareperformance records. This role will support manufacturing and development of the K2 Mega-class satellite and future generations ofthe spacecraft. The ideal candidatepossessesadvanced mechanical skills, will seekownership over quality and reliability,is meticulous and tenacious, and is familiar withthe handling andtestingof optical components. A strong background inopticalmanufacturing, R&D and testing is desired.

Responsibilities

• Partner directly withdesign engineering throughout the hardware development and pre-production stages, supportingcomponentassembly and validation testing
• Perform precision inspection, cleaning, bonding, and troubleshooting of optical components toexactingtolerances
• Operate precision tooling including microscopes, adhesive dispensing systems, UV curing equipment, and optical alignmenttoolingto support next-generation hardware
• Execute work from verbal instructions, engineering drawings, and technical procedures with minimal supervision, adapting quickly as designs evolve
• Build, align, integrate, test, andmaintainopticalsystems — including delicatefreespaceopticsand mechanics, thermal management hardware, and fiber optic assemblies
• Own test setup, execution, and data reporting, ensuring accuracy and traceability across all builds
• Maintain ground support equipment performance and calibration
• Champion laser safety and cleanliness standards on the production floor, holding yourself and the team accountable to the highest standards
• Practice 5S principles of organizing and sustaining an efficient and presentable workspace
• Thrive infast paced/all-hands-on-deckproductionenvironment, jumping in wherever needed to hit mission timelines

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience assembling, integrating, and testingopticalhardwareor adjacent hardware (ie: technical hardwareutilizingoptical sensors, fibers,sources, orhigh-resolution mechanisms)
• Proficiencywith computers and ability to use MS Office and shop floor management software
• Demonstratehigh levelof ownership and problem-solving abilities
• Demonstrate ability to learn,adaptand work independently
• Demonstratedexterity andability to handle delicate objectsina dynamic lab environment
• Demonstrate ability to communicate andprioritizeteam success
• Experience working with FOD,ESD sensitive hardware,and clean room requirements
• Experience with optical cleanlinessorsimilar (ie: use of labsolvents likeHPLCIPA, Acetone,Methanoland delicatecleaning methods)

Nice to Have

• Experience with opticalmetrology equipment such as interferometers, autocollimators, laser trackers, theodolites, power meters
• Experience with handling optical fiber and optical fiber technology such as fiber splicers, polarization components, fiber polishing & cleaning, fiber cleaving
• Experience with lasers and laser safety
• Experience with optical wavefront optimizationthroughalignment
• Ability to troubleshoot or develop production code in LabVIEW, Python,MATLABorsimilar
• Able to read mechanical and engineering drawings and interpret tolerances (including GD&T)
• Operate machining equipment such as a lathe, mill, drill press
• Experience working with engineering in development and production environments
• Strong communicationskills with ability to provide feedback to engineering teams to improve tooling processes and part design
• Willingness to provide constructive feedback to the engineering and production teams to improve tooling designs,processesand parts
• Able to stay organized with strong attention to detail

Additional Requirements

• Willing to work overtime and weekends as needed
• Must be able to stoop, bend, crawl, and maneuver in tight spaces
• Must be able to lift and carry parts or equipment up to 25 lbs. unassisted

Compensation and Benefits

• Hourly pay range for this non-exempt role is $40 - $45 + equity in the company
• Compensation will be based on several factors including, but not limitedto: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 otherperks

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

Export Compliance

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.

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 by22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.

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.