Senior Satellite Manufacturing Engineer Los Angeles, CA

K2 Space; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in space development is seeking a motivated manufacturing engineer to join their innovative team. This role involves collaborating with design engineers to ensure manufacturability of high-powered spacecraft, developing advanced manufacturing techniques, and transitioning technology to production. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment and contribute to groundbreaking projects that aim to redefine space exploration. With a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, this opportunity offers a chance to be part of a mission-driven team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of aerospace technology.

Benefits

Unlimited paid time off

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Life insurance

Paid parental leave

Equity in the company

Qualifications

• 5+ years in high volume production environments.
• Experience with avionics subassembly manufacturing.
• Strong background in manufacturing engineering.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with design engineers for manufacturability.
• Develop manufacturing systems for spacecraft assemblies.
• Create custom tools and processes for manufacturing.

Skills

Manufacturing Engineering

Process Improvement

Design for Manufacturability

Electromechanical Systems

Avionics Systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Manufacturing Execution System (MES)

CAD Software (NX or equivalent)

Job description

K2 Space is building large, high-powered spacecraft for the next generation of space development. Backed by Lightspeed Venture Partners, Altimeter Capital, and many others ($180M raised to date), we intend to mass produce the highest-powered satellite platforms ever built for missions across LEO to Deep Space.

The rise of launch vehicles like Falcon 9 and Starship enables the move from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance. We believe this new era requires spacecraft with a fundamentally different design in order to fully utilize the massive rockets coming to market.

We’re a team that believes the future lies in building large, high-powered satellites that can handle multiple orbits. This is a necessity if we ever want 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 B space startup, we’d love for you to apply.

The Role

Partnering with design engineers early on in the process, you will ensure manufacturability, build the first prototype, design the build flow and fixturing, and finalize the process for transition to production. You will test out new techniques for manufacturing large satellite structures, harnessing, mechanisms, and integrated electronics systems. In your first 6 months you will develop manufacturing methods and tooling for integrated avionics systems, define manufacturing flows for subsystems, and collaborate with design teams to improve the manufacturability of spacecraft components. In your first year you will implement these advanced manufacturing techniques on flight hardware and transition the technology you develop to production.

Responsibilities

1. Collaborate with design engineers to ensure design for manufacturability for initial design, flight hardware, and tooling.
2. Develop innovative manufacturing systems for large spacecraft assemblies, including electromechanical sub-assemblies, harnessing, welded/bolted structures, and mechanisms.
3. Create custom tools and processes to support the manufacturing technologies you create including Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software.
4. Demonstrate the advanced manufacturing techniques on prototypes, working with the design teams to improve the manufacturability of the designs.
5. Develop the subassembly build flow and iterate to create an efficient production flow for the satellite.
6. Partner with a team of advanced manufacturing engineers to perform R&D of novel manufacturing technologies for current and future spacecraft products.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline.
2. 5+ years of experience in a high volume, rapid production environment in a manufacturing, integration, and/or design engineering role.
3. Demonstrated results with product development and/or process improvements.
4. Experience setting up a manufacturing/production floor for first article builds.
5. Experience designing and implementing technologies for avionics subassembly manufacturing including wire harness manufacturing and PCBA/mechanical enclosure assembly.

Nice to Have

1. Experience designing tooling for mechanical subassemblies and electronics.
2. Experience designing hardware for manufacturability.
3. Demonstrated experience developing production processes from the ground up including driving design improvements for manufacturing.
4. Experience working closely with technicians and build tooling.
5. Experience with aerospace manufacturing standards such as soldering standards, torque specifications, welding standards, and quality assurance standards.
6. Familiarity with CAD software (NX or equivalent) and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
7. Experience working with MES to set up the foundation for procedure creation and documenting non-conformances.

Compensation and Benefits:

Base salary range for this role is $100,000 –$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 unlimited 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.

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.

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