Senior Propulsion Mechanical Design Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Paid time off

Medical coverage

Parental leave

Life insurance

Job summary

K2 Space is building the largest and highest-power satellites with a propulsion system designed for deep-space missions. You will join a small multidisciplinary team responsible for mechanical structures, propulsion hardware, and integration.

In your first year you will validate designs through prototypes and flight hardware, define requirements, and lead test campaigns spanning design, build, and verification.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or related engineering field.
• 10+ years of mechanical/EM design and analysis experience.
• Proficient with CAD/FEA software.
• Familiar with GD&T applications.
• Strong fundamentals in mechanical design, materials, thermodynamics, and fluids.
• Hands-on hardware design, build, test, and iteration.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical design of propulsion hardware from concept to flight.
• Define requirements, concepts, and development test campaigns.
• Create 3D models, drawings, and interface control documents.
• Analyze test data and iterate designs based on results.
• Manage propulsion vendors and schedules.

Skills

Mechanical design

Aerospace engineering

CAD/FEA tools

GD&T

Thermodynamics

Hardware testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or related engineering field

Tools

CAD software

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 $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 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 will validate your designs through prototype iterations and build and qualify flight hardware. In your first two years you will fly your hardware in space while directly supporting production and integration.

Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical design of propulsion system hardware including propulsion modules, critical thruster components, the propellant management system, avionics box design, propulsion secondary structures, and potentially tank development
• Validate your designs through the entire lifecycle from concept to production, and successful flight demonstrations
• Generate 3D models, fully dimensioned drawings, and interface control documents
• Perform analysis on data from testing hardware, iterating designs, and critical go/no-go calls on hardware performance
• Develop and execute component and 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-performance engines, 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/or aircraft structures and mechanisms)
• Deep experience in the development and qualification of high-pressure and low-pressure fluidic components, this may include flight feed system or pressurized tanks
• Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems in space environments and operations
• Experience with production tooling or product design in either prototype or high-volume environments

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

Export Compliance

• 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.