The Role

You will own the success of the mechanical structures and mechanisms that will be key to our satellite operation. In your first 6 months, you will define mechanical requirements, create initial concepts and trades, perform preliminary and detailed analysis, define development test campaigns, trade and select any purchased electromechanical subsystems, and produce development hardware. In your first year, you will validate your designs through prototype iterations and build and qualify flight hardware. In your first two years you will fly your hardware in space while directly supporting production and integration.

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

• Experience with CAD or FEA software packages (experience can be in a professional, academic, entrepreneurial, or hobby setting)

• Minimum 3+ years of experience with mechanical and/or electromechanical design and analysis (internship, team project, graduate research, and extracurricular experience is applicable)

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 the practical application of GD&T

• Demonstrated ability to own mechanical hardware or systems within an integrated engineering team outside a classroom setting (High Power Rocketry, CubeSats, Robotics Competitions, Formula SAE and Baja SAE, Engineers without Borders, Design-Build-Fly, NASA student launch, personal entrepreneurial ventures, etc.)

• 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

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $180,000 + 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 unlimited 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.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

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.