Spacecraft Fluids & Pumps Engineering Technician

Telemetry Today LLC; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

K2 Space in Los Angeles, CA is seeking a Spacecraft Fluids & Pumps Engineering Technician to build and test turbopumps and pumped-fluid-loop hardware for high-power satellites, from development units through production. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technician comfortable working across mechanical, fluid, and electromechanical systems in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities include assembling precision turbopumps, developing test stands, installing sensors and flow meters, performing

Qualifications

• 3+ years hands-on aerospace or high-reliability assembly and test with fluid or rotating hardware.
• Experience with proof pressure, leak and flow testing.
• Tube fabrication, bending and fittings (Swagelok/compression/AN/VCR/flare).
• Familiar with MES/MRP software.
• Calibrated tools: multimeters, megohmmeters, power supplies, torque wrenches, safety cable guns, crimpers.
• Strong ownership and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience with FOD/ESD sensitive hardware and clean rooms.

Responsibilities

• Assemble precision turbopumps and fluid loop hardware to engineering drawings and BOMs.
• Build and operate development flow loops and test stands with instrumentation.
• Install and checkout pressure transducers, temperature sensors, and flow meters.
• Fabricate, bend and install precision tubing; orbital welding as required.
• Execute hydraulic performance, leak, flow and proof-pressure tests.
• Work with manufacturing, test, quality and design to resolve issues in real time.
• Follow MES work instructions and maintain traceability.
• Support 5S, continuous improvement and production readiness.

Skills

Aerospace hardware

Test experience

Fluid systems

Leak testing

Tube fabrication

MES/MRP software

Calibrated tools

Multimeters

FOD/ESD awareness

Clean room

Tools

Swagelok fittings

Tube fittings

Torque wrenches

Safety cable guns

Crimpers

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

As a SpacecraftFluids & PumpsEngineering Technician, you willbuildand testthe turbopumps and pumpedfluidloop hardware thatcoolour high-powersatellites,from developmentunits through production.The ideal candidate is a highly hands-on technician comfortable working across mechanical,fluid, andelectromechanicalsystems in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Assemble precisionturbopumps and fluid loop mechanisms(rotatingassemblies, bearings,seals,valves,accumulators)hardwaretoengineering drawings, BOMs, and work instructions
• Build,operate, andmaintaindevelopment flow loops and test stands, including plumbing,instrumentation, and dataacquisition
• Install andcheckoutpressure transducers,temperature sensors, and flow meters
• Fabricate, bend, fit, and install precision tubing and fluid lines; performorbital weldingand fitting operations to required standards
• Executehydraulicperformance, leak, flow,andproofpressure tests
• Perform fluid loop cleaning, flushing,vacuumevacuation, and working fluid fill/charge per released procedures
• Install pump motors, motorized/solenoid valves,andsensors,including harness routing, connector mating, andtermination
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing, test, quality, and design engineering to resolve hardware issues in real time
• Follow detailed work instructions and manufacturing procedures, performing all work in the MES (scanning, material consumption, andas-builttraceability)
• Practice 5S principles of organizing and sustaining an efficient and presentable workspace
• Provide consistent process improvement feedback to engineering and production leadership
• Support vehicle integration operations and other related departmentsas needed

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on aerospaceorhigh-reliability assemblyand test experiencewith fluid orrotating hardware(propulsion,thermalcontrol,pumps/compressors,hydraulics, or similar)
• Experience withproofpressure,leakandflow testing
• Hands-on experience with tube fabrication, bending, andfittings(swagelok/compression,AN, VCR,flare,orsimilar)
• Familiarity with MES/MRP software
• Familiar with calibrated tools includingmultimeters,megohmmeters, power suppliers,torquewrenches, safety cable guns, and crimpers
• Demonstratedhigh levelof ownership and problem-solving abilities
• Experience working with FOD, ESD sensitive hardware and clean room requirements

Nice to Have

• Direct experience withaerospacethermal control/fluid loopor propulsionsystems
• Ability to read mechanical and engineering drawings and interpret tolerances (including GD&T)
• Experience working with engineering teams in development and production environments
• Strong communicationskills with ability to communicate hardware and systems problems, and provide feedback on improving tooling processes and part design
• Ability to obtain or current hold top secret/SCI security clearance

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to perform repetitive tasks such as bending or twisting, grasping, standing, lifting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, carrying, and use hands tooperatetools or machine controls
• Must be able to lift and carry parts or equipment up to 50 lbs. unassisted
• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time
• Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed

Compensation and Benefits:

• Hourly pay range for this non-exempt role is $35 - $45 + equity in the company
• Compensation 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.

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.