Rocket Lab
Senior Satellite Manufacturing Engineer
Rocket Lab - Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
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Overview
Job Description: Manufacturing Engineer, Spacecraft
K2 Space is building large, high-powered spacecraft for the next generation of space development. Backed by Lightspeed Venture Partners, Altimeter Capital, and others ( $180M raised to date ), we aim to mass produce the highest-powered satellite platforms for missions from LEO to Deep Space. The rise of launch vehicles like Falcon 9 and Starship enables a shift from constraint to abundance, necessitating spacecraft with new designs to fully utilize these rockets. We believe in building large, high-powered satellites capable of handling multiple orbits, essential for developing the solar system and becoming a Kardashev Type II civilization. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and want to contribute to a groundbreaking Series B space startup, we encourage you to apply. The Role
Partner with design engineers early to ensure manufacturability, build prototypes, design build flow and fixturing, and finalize processes for production transition. Test new manufacturing techniques for satellite structures, harnessing, mechanisms, and electronics. Develop manufacturing methods and tooling for avionics, define manufacturing flows, and collaborate on improving component manufacturability. Implement these techniques on flight hardware and transition technology to production within the first year. Responsibilities
Collaborate with design engineers to ensure design for manufacturability for initial design, flight hardware, and tooling. Develop innovative manufacturing systems for large spacecraft assemblies, including electromechanical sub-assemblies, harnessing, welded/bolted structures, and mechanisms. Create custom tools and processes, including MES software, to support manufacturing technologies. Demonstrate advanced manufacturing techniques on prototypes, working with design teams to improve designs. Develop subassembly build flow and iterate for efficient satellite production. Partner with advanced manufacturing engineers to R&D novel manufacturing technologies for current and future spacecraft. Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, aerospace, or relevant engineering discipline. 5+ years experience in high-volume, rapid production environments in manufacturing, integration, or design engineering roles. Proven results in product development or process improvements. Experience setting up manufacturing/production floors for first article builds. Experience designing and implementing avionics subassembly manufacturing technologies, including wiring and PCBA/mechanical enclosures. Nice to Have
Experience designing tooling for mechanical and electronic subassemblies. Experience designing hardware for manufacturability and developing production processes from scratch. Experience working closely with technicians and tooling development. Knowledge of aerospace manufacturing standards (soldering, torque, welding, QA). Familiarity with CAD (NX or equivalent) and GD&T. Experience with MES for procedure creation and non-conformance documentation. Compensation and Benefits
Base salary $100,000 – $175,000 + equity. Salary depends on skills, education, experience. Benefits include unlimited PTO, medical/dental/vision, life insurance, parental leave, and more. We encourage candidates who don’t meet all preferred skills to apply. Building spacecraft requires a unique team, and non-traditional career paths are welcome. For accommodations, please contact us. Export Compliance & Equal Opportunity
Role involves access to U.S.-controlled information; eligibility per ITAR and export regulations is required. K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to diversity and qualifications regardless of protected statuses.
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K2 Space is building large, high-powered spacecraft for the next generation of space development. Backed by Lightspeed Venture Partners, Altimeter Capital, and others ( $180M raised to date ), we aim to mass produce the highest-powered satellite platforms for missions from LEO to Deep Space. The rise of launch vehicles like Falcon 9 and Starship enables a shift from constraint to abundance, necessitating spacecraft with new designs to fully utilize these rockets. We believe in building large, high-powered satellites capable of handling multiple orbits, essential for developing the solar system and becoming a Kardashev Type II civilization. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and want to contribute to a groundbreaking Series B space startup, we encourage you to apply. The Role
Partner with design engineers early to ensure manufacturability, build prototypes, design build flow and fixturing, and finalize processes for production transition. Test new manufacturing techniques for satellite structures, harnessing, mechanisms, and electronics. Develop manufacturing methods and tooling for avionics, define manufacturing flows, and collaborate on improving component manufacturability. Implement these techniques on flight hardware and transition technology to production within the first year. Responsibilities
Collaborate with design engineers to ensure design for manufacturability for initial design, flight hardware, and tooling. Develop innovative manufacturing systems for large spacecraft assemblies, including electromechanical sub-assemblies, harnessing, welded/bolted structures, and mechanisms. Create custom tools and processes, including MES software, to support manufacturing technologies. Demonstrate advanced manufacturing techniques on prototypes, working with design teams to improve designs. Develop subassembly build flow and iterate for efficient satellite production. Partner with advanced manufacturing engineers to R&D novel manufacturing technologies for current and future spacecraft. Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, aerospace, or relevant engineering discipline. 5+ years experience in high-volume, rapid production environments in manufacturing, integration, or design engineering roles. Proven results in product development or process improvements. Experience setting up manufacturing/production floors for first article builds. Experience designing and implementing avionics subassembly manufacturing technologies, including wiring and PCBA/mechanical enclosures. Nice to Have
Experience designing tooling for mechanical and electronic subassemblies. Experience designing hardware for manufacturability and developing production processes from scratch. Experience working closely with technicians and tooling development. Knowledge of aerospace manufacturing standards (soldering, torque, welding, QA). Familiarity with CAD (NX or equivalent) and GD&T. Experience with MES for procedure creation and non-conformance documentation. Compensation and Benefits
Base salary $100,000 – $175,000 + equity. Salary depends on skills, education, experience. Benefits include unlimited PTO, medical/dental/vision, life insurance, parental leave, and more. We encourage candidates who don’t meet all preferred skills to apply. Building spacecraft requires a unique team, and non-traditional career paths are welcome. For accommodations, please contact us. Export Compliance & Equal Opportunity
Role involves access to U.S.-controlled information; eligibility per ITAR and export regulations is required. K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to diversity and qualifications regardless of protected statuses.
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