K2 Space Corporation
Senior Mechanisms Engineer Los Angeles, CA
K2 Space Corporation, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
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 U.S. 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 will own the success of mechanisms that will be key to our satellite operation and performance. In your first 6 months, you will define mechanism requirements, trade architectures and build initial prototypes, perform preliminary and detailed analysis, define development test campaigns, trade and select any purchased components, and produce development hardware. In your first year you will validate your designs through prototype iterations in rigorous test campaigns, build, and qualify flight hardware. In your first two years you will fly your hardware in space while supporting operations, production, and integration teams as we scale.
Responsibilities
Take hardware and mechanisms from conceptual design through qualification to on‑orbit operations in order to support internal and external customer needs
Lead design reviews from kickoff through qualification and beyond
Drive hardware development, including hands‑on 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, company processes, and best practices for hardware design and manufacturing
Continually own and refine system deliverables and associated schedules throughout development and production
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
Minimum 5+ years of experience with mechanical and/or electromechanical design and analysis
Experience with CAD or FEA software packages
Nice to Have
Experience designing, building, and testing moving mechanical assemblies for aerospace applications (satellite mechanical systems, payloads, launch vehicles, propulsion systems, and/or aircraft structures and mechanisms)
Experience with NASA‑STD‑5017, SMC‑S‑016, and GSFC‑STD‑7000 for the design and qualification of in‑space Moving Mechanism Assemblies
Experience with kinematic synthesis, electromechanical actuation, mechatronics and instrumentation
Experience with bearing analysis, preload techniques, and preload measurement
Experience with the practical application of GD&T
Demonstrate ability to own moving mechanism assemblies across the full product lifecycle in a high‑velocity environment
Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems in space environments and operations
Independent and self‑motivated mindset, with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills across disciplines
Compensation and Benefits
Base salary range for this role is $140,000 – $175,000 + equity in the company
Salary and level will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: 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 other perks
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.
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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 will own the success of mechanisms that will be key to our satellite operation and performance. In your first 6 months, you will define mechanism requirements, trade architectures and build initial prototypes, perform preliminary and detailed analysis, define development test campaigns, trade and select any purchased components, and produce development hardware. In your first year you will validate your designs through prototype iterations in rigorous test campaigns, build, and qualify flight hardware. In your first two years you will fly your hardware in space while supporting operations, production, and integration teams as we scale.
Responsibilities
Take hardware and mechanisms from conceptual design through qualification to on‑orbit operations in order to support internal and external customer needs
Lead design reviews from kickoff through qualification and beyond
Drive hardware development, including hands‑on 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, company processes, and best practices for hardware design and manufacturing
Continually own and refine system deliverables and associated schedules throughout development and production
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
Minimum 5+ years of experience with mechanical and/or electromechanical design and analysis
Experience with CAD or FEA software packages
Nice to Have
Experience designing, building, and testing moving mechanical assemblies for aerospace applications (satellite mechanical systems, payloads, launch vehicles, propulsion systems, and/or aircraft structures and mechanisms)
Experience with NASA‑STD‑5017, SMC‑S‑016, and GSFC‑STD‑7000 for the design and qualification of in‑space Moving Mechanism Assemblies
Experience with kinematic synthesis, electromechanical actuation, mechatronics and instrumentation
Experience with bearing analysis, preload techniques, and preload measurement
Experience with the practical application of GD&T
Demonstrate ability to own moving mechanism assemblies across the full product lifecycle in a high‑velocity environment
Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems in space environments and operations
Independent and self‑motivated mindset, with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills across disciplines
Compensation and Benefits
Base salary range for this role is $140,000 – $175,000 + equity in the company
Salary and level will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: 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 other perks
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.
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