Spacecraft Fluids & Pumps Engineering Technician

K2Spacecorporation; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in company

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

K2 Space 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 works hands-on across mechanical, fluid, and electromechanical systems in a fast-paced setting.

Responsibilities include assembling pump assemblies, running test loops, installing sensors, and performing comprehensive hydraulic and flow tests while collaborating with

Qualifications

• 3+ years of aerospace or high-reliability assembly and test experience with fluid or rotating hardware.
• Experience with proof-pressure, leak and flow testing.
• Hands-on experience with tube fabrication, bending, and fittings (Swagelok, compression, AN, VCR, flare).
• Familiar with MES/MRP software.
• Familiar with calibrated tools including multimeters, megohmmeters, power supplies, torque wrenches, safety cable guns, and crimpers.
• Demonstrated high level of ownership and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience with FOD, ESD-sensitive hardware and clean room requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assemble precision turbopumps and fluid loop mechanisms (rotating assemblies, bearings, seals, valves, accumulators) to engineering drawings, BOMs, and work instructions.
• Build, operate, and maintain development flow loops and test stands, including plumbing, instrumentation, and data acquisition.
• Install and checkout pressure transducers, temperature sensors, and flow meters.
• Fabricate, bend, fit, and install precision tubing and fluid lines; perform orbital welding and fitting operations to required standards.
• Execute hydraulic performance, leak, flow, and proof-pressure tests.
• Perform fluid loop cleaning, flushing, vacuum evacuation, and working fluid fill/charge per procedures.
• Install pump motors, motorized/solenoid valves, and sensors; manage harness routing and connectors.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, test, quality, and design engineering to resolve hardware issues in real time.
• Follow detailed work instructions and MES procedures; ensure 5S workspace standards.
• Provide continuous process improvement feedback to engineering and production leadership.
• Support vehicle integration operations and related departments as needed.

Skills

Aerospace hardware assembly & test

Fluid systems experience

Rotating machinery experience

MES/MRP familiarity

Tooling and metrology knowledge

Tools

Tube fabrication tools (Swagelok)

Calibration tools (multimeters, megohmmeters, torque wrenches)

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 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.

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.