Senior Satellite Mechanical Engineer, Optical Structures

The role

You will have cradle-to-grave ownership over the mechanical elements of space environment payloads, including optical payloads. You will perform structural design, thermal analysis, and hardware development from concept through on-orbit operations.

What you will do

• Take satellite mechanical and optical hardware from conceptual design through analysis, prototyping, flight manufacturing, and qualification to on-orbit operations
• Own structural, electronics thermal heatsinking, and lens mounting design and implementation
• Perform hardware trades that steer sub-system and top-level product direction
• Lead subsystem design reviews from kickoff through qualification and beyond
• Drive hardware development including hands-on assembly, alignment, and development testing
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish product requirements and company processes
• Own and refine sub-system deliverable schedules throughout development and production

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, optical, or other relevant engineering discipline
• 4+ years of experience in mechanical or optomechanical design and analysis, with a mechanical-heavy background
• Proficiency with 3D CAD and software for detailed part and assembly design
• Proficiency with finite element analysis software for modal, stress, and thermo-structural analysis
• Hands-on experience with prototyping and testing

Nice to have

• Proficiency with Siemens NX CAD
• Experience designing, building, and testing mechanical assemblies for aerospace applications
• Demonstrated proficiency in the principles of mechanical design, materials, and structural dynamics, and failure modes of complex mechanical systems in space environments and operations
• Experience with the practical application of GD&T, including tolerancing of precision mechanical interfaces
• Experience with precision and optical design elements such as flexure design, optical bonding, and kinematic mount design for space environments
• Demonstrated ability to personally design, build, and test hardware from a blank canvas
• Independent and self-motivated mindset, with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills

Benefits

• Paid time off
• Medical/dental/vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Many other perks

Before you apply

• Must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license

About the company

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown for missions from LEO to deep space. The company is mass-producing high-power satellite platforms and plans to scale to 100 satellites a year.