Welder and Fabrication Technician

K2 Space; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

K2 Space in Los Angeles is building Mega Class satellite hardware. This role will help set up, operate, and optimize the development shop, fabricate tooling and ground support equipment, and collaborate with engineering and operations to shape designs.

You will perform Class A TIG/MIG welding and sheet metal work, operate CNC and other fabrication tools, troubleshoot equipment, and sustain a clean, safe, and compliant workspace.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience with Class A TIG/MIG welding and thin sheet metal.
• 5+ years of experience with sheet metal fabrication and forming.
• Strong proficiency in GD&T tolerances and technical drawing interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Establish and optimize the development shop setup and equipment.
• Perform Class A TIG/MIG welding and sheet metal work.
• Operate fabrication equipment (CNC press brake, shear, mill, lathe, bandsaws, etc.).
• Troubleshoot equipment and perform preventative maintenance.
• Inspect finished parts to ensure highest quality.
• Maintain safe, clean working environment in compliance with EH&S.

Skills

GD&T tolerance interpretation

Technical drawing interpretation

Troubleshooting fabrication equipment

Tools

Class A TIG/MIG welding

Sheet metal fabrication

Water jet cutting

CNC equipment operation

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

You willbe responsible forhelping set up,operate, andoptimizeK2 Space’s development shop. This pivotal role will support development projects which will inform the design of our Mega Class satellite. You will work closely with engineering teams and operations management to fabricate tooling and ground support equipment.Youwill be highly motivated, detail oriented, and execute at the highest level.

Responsibilities

• Support the establishment of the K2 Space Development shop, including the selection and initial set up of equipment
• Perform Class A weld quality, including TIG, MIG, and other specialized welding processes
• Process sheet metal utilizing water jet cutting, and various other machine tools
• Operate a wide variety of fabrication equipment (CNC press brake, shear roller, mill, lathe, horizontal and vertical bandsaw, and sanding equipment)
• Troubleshoot issues with equipment and perform preventative maintenance
• Identifyand self-start projects that improve the overall program success and progress
• Inspect finished products to ensure they meet the highest quality standards
• Communicate with engineering teams and leadership for general alignment, capability, and support prioritization
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe working environment in compliance with EH&S standards
• Consistently provide process improvement ideas and design feedback to improve manufacturability

Qualifications

• 5+yearsofexperiencewith Class A TIG/MIG weldingand thin sheet metal
• 5+yearsofexperiencewith sheet metal fabrication and forming experience
• Strongproficiencyin GD&T tolerances and technical drawing interpretation

Nice to Have

• Experience working in a space hardware development program