Space Optomechanical Engineer — Precision Payloads

K2Spacecorporation; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

K2 Space is building the largest and highest-power satellites to unlock performance across orbit. We are backed by over $1 billion in funding and contracts, mass-producing platforms for missions from LEO to deep space.

You will own the design and build of precision optomechanical structures that hold our optical payloads in space, a mechanically-focused role at the intersection of structures and optics. You will work with optical engineers and drive hardware realization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, optical, or other relevant engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of experience in mechanical or optomechanical design and analysis, with a mechanics-heavy background.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software for detailed part and assembly design.
• Hands-on experience mounting optics (lenses and mirrors) and designing the structures that support them.

Responsibilities

• Design optomechanical assemblies - optical benches, mirror mounts, lens cells, and support structures - from conceptual design through qualification to on‑orbit operations.
• Own mounting and alignment of lenses and mirrors, selecting and designing mounting schemes that constrain optics without over‑constraining them.
• Design mirror support structures with attention to jitter, deformation, and thermal stability.
• Own optical alignment and stability budgets, translating wavefront and pointing decisions.
• Lead design reviews from kickoff through qualification and beyond.
• Drive hardware development, including hands‑on assembly and alignment, development testing, analysis correlation, and follow‑on hardware iterations.
• Perform hardware trades that steer both sub‑system and top‑level product direction.
• Collaborate with a cross‑functional team to establish product requirements, processes, and best practices for optomechanical design and manufacturing.
• Continually own and refine system deliverables and associated schedules throughout development and production.

Skills

Optomechanical design

Mechanical design

3D CAD

Lenses and mirrors mounting

Systems integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, optical, or other relevant engineering discipline

Tools

Siemens NX CAD

Job description

K2 Space is building the largest and highest-power satellites to unlock performance across orbit. We are backed by over $1 billion in funding and contracts, mass-producing platforms for missions from LEO to deep space.

You will own the design and build of precision optomechanical structures that hold our optical payloads in space, a mechanically-focused role at the intersection of structures and optics. You will work with optical engineers and drive hardware realization.