Senior Mechanical Engineer (Propulsion)

K2 Space; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in company

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

K2 Space is building the largest and highest-power satellites, seeking a seasoned mechanical design engineer to own propulsion hardware from concept through flight. You will define requirements, create trades, analyze data, and develop hardware for space missions in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

You will work on a multidisciplinary team to validate designs with prototype iterations, build flight hardware, and support production and integration over the next several years.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of experience with mechanical and/or electromechanical design and analysis.
• Experience with CAD or FEA software packages.
• Experience with the practical application of GD&T.
• Demonstrated proficiency in mechanical design, materials, thermodynamics, and fluids.
• Ability to design, build, and test hardware from concept to flight-ready hardware.

Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical design of propulsion system hardware and related structures.
• Validate designs from concept through production and flight demonstrations.
• Generate 3D models, drawings, and interface control documents.
• Analyze test data, iterate designs, and make go/no-go decisions.
• Develop and execute component and system-level test plans.
• Manage propulsion vendors and supplier relationships.

Skills

Mechanical design

3D CAD

FEA

GD&T

Hardware testing

Systems integration

Education

Bachelors in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

CAD/FEA software

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 mechanical structures and mechanisms used for a propulsion system that will be the highest-powered electric propulsion system ever flown and unlock new mission concepts and increase our access to deep space. As part of a small multidisciplinary team, your role will involve mechanical design, development, build, test, and analysis of the satellite’s plasma propulsion system and all related hardware. 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 willvalidateyour designs through prototype iterations and build and qualify flight hardware.In your first two years you willfly your hardware in space while directly supporting production and integration.

Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical design of propulsion systemhardwareincludingpropulsion modules,critical thruster components, the propellant management system,avionics box design, propulsion secondary structures,andpotentially tank development
• Validate your designsthroughtheentire lifecyclefromconcepttoproduction, and successful flight demonstrations
• Generate 3D models, fully dimensioned drawings, and interface control documents
• Perform analysis on data from testing hardware, iteratingdesigns,andcritical go/no-go calls on hardware performance
• Develop and executecomponentand system-level test plans
• Manage key propulsion vendors and suppliers through hardware delivery
• Continually own and refine sub-system deliverable schedules throughout development and production

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
• 10+ years of experience with mechanical and/or electromechanical design and analysis
• Experience with CAD or FEA software packages
• Experience with the practical application of GD&T
• Demonstrated proficiency in the principles of mechanical design, materials, thermodynamics, and fluids
• Demonstrated ability to personally design, build, and test hardware from a blank canvas, including troubleshooting and iterating designs based on downstream feedback

Nice to Have

• Demonstrated ability to own mechanical hardware or systems within an integrated engineering team outside a classroom setting
• Experience in advanced propulsion technologies, including high-performanceengines, in-space propulsion, and propulsion system integration
• Experience designing, building, and testing mechanical assemblies for aerospace applications (satellite mechanical systems, payloads, launch vehicles, propulsion systems, and/oraircraftstructures and mechanisms)
• Deep experience in the developmentand qualification of high-pressure and low-pressure fluidic components, this may include flight feed system or pressurized tanks
• Demonstrated understanding of structuralanalysisand failure modes of complex mechanical systems in space environments and operations
• Experience with production tooling or product design in either prototype orhigh-volumeenvironments

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base salary range for this role is $140,000 - $175,000 + 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 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 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.