SMT Manufacturing Engineer

K2 Space

Santa Monica (CA)

On-site

USD 100,000 - 140,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision coverage

Life insurance

Paid parental leave

Job summary

K2 Space is building the largest and highest-power satellites, and we are seeking an SMT Manufacturing Engineer to own SMT equipment and processes. You will work with production teams to support development and production of the K2 Mega-class satellite hardware, shaping build methods and solving hands-on manufacturing challenges in real time.

This role demands quick learning, speed, ownership from early on, and a focus on scalable, reliable processes as we push toward higher-rate production in

Qualifications

2+ years of experience in a high-volume manufacturing, production, or hands-on engineering environment.
Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace, materials or other relevant engineering discipline.
Strong hands-on aptitude and willingness to work directly with hardware on the production floor.
Exposure to precision assembly or electromechanical integration processes.
Ability to read engineering drawings, schematics, and technical documentation.
Experience setting up a manufacturing/production floor for first article builds.

Responsibilities

Develop, support, and continuously improve SMT assembly equipment and processes, including pick-and-place machines, reflow ovens, solder paste printers, SPI/AOI, X-ray, and other systems.
Develop and optimize reflow profiles, stencil designs, and solder paste processes for high first-pass yield.
Program, operate, and troubleshoot automated SMT equipment, including placement programs and vision/inspection systems.
Collaborate with Quality and Production teams to maintain build cadence and acceptance criteria.
Create and maintain work instructions, procedures, and process documentation with traceability through MES.
Develop inspection criteria and methods for assemblies and non-conformances.
Develop functional tests for components and assemblies.
Monitor process performance (yield, defects, SPC) and drive continuous improvements with engineering/production leadership.
Support tooling inspection, maintenance, and readiness for solar manufacturing operations.

Skills

Hands-on manufacturing

Mechanical aptitude

Reading engineering drawings

Troubleshooting equipment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or related engineering

Tools

SMT equipment knowledge

Metrology tools

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’llbe at the heart of bringing flight hardware to life. You willownSurface Mount Technology (SMT) equipmentand processes,working closely withproduction teamsto supportdevelopment and production of the K2 Mega-class satellite.You will shape build processes and solve hands-on manufacturing challenges in realtime,and your work will directlyimpactthe performance and reliability of hardware destined for space.

This role is built for someone who learns quickly, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and wants to take ownership early.You’lldevelop deep technical intuition, contribute to systems that scale, and grow into increasingly complex challenges as we push towards higher-rate production in an environment unlike anywhere else.

Respo nsibilities

Develop, support, and continuously improve SMT assembly equipment and processes, including but not limitedto:pick-and-place machines, reflow ovens, solder paste printers, solder paste inspection (SPI), automated optical inspection (AOI), X-ray, conformal coating systems, epoxy/adhesive dispensers, and lamination equipment
Develop andoptimizereflow profiles, stencil designs, and solder paste processes to achieve highfirst-passyield on complex, high-reliability assemblies
Program,operate, and troubleshoot automated SMT equipment, including placement programs, feeder setups, and vision/inspection systems
Work closely with Quality and Production teams tomaintainbuild cadence and ensure hardware meets acceptance criteria.
Create andmaintainwork instructions, assembly procedures, and process documentation, and capture as-built records and traceability through the MES
Develop inspection criteria and methods forassemblies fornon-conformances.
Developfunctional testsof components and assemblies
Monitor process performance (yield, defect trends, SPC) and provide consistent process improvement feedback to engineering and production leadership
Support tooling inspection, maintenance, and readiness activities for solar manufacturing operations

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace,materialsor other relevant engineering discipline
2+ years of experience in a high-volume manufacturing, production, or hands-on engineering environment
Strong hands-on aptitude and willingness to work directly with hardware on the production floor
Exposure to precision assembly or electromechanical integration processes
Ability to read engineering drawings, schematics, and technical documentation
Experience setting up a manufacturing/production floor for first article builds

Nice to Have

Hand soldering ability and PCB rework experience
Ability to read, review, and redline electrical schematics and mechanical drawings
Experience performing crimping, wire stripping, continuity testing
Experience using test and measuring tools (digital multimeter, oscilloscopes, calipers)
Experience with various potting and epoxies
Strong communicationskills with ability to communicate hardware and systems problems

Additional Requirements

Must be able to stand for extended periods of time
Must be able to lift and carry parts or equipment up to50lbs.Unassisted

Compensation and Benefits:

Base salary range for this role is $100,000 – $140,000 + equity in the company
Salary 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 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.

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