Principal Turbomachinery Engineer

The role

You will define how K2 designs, analyzes, manufactures, tests, integrates, and deploys precision turbomachinery for active thermal control systems. You will own these pieces from concept through integration and rate production for mission-critical hardware that goes to space.

What you will do

• Responsible for turbomachinery mechanisms in the spacecraft active thermal control system
• Architectural down-selection, design, and tolerancing
• Pump- and mechanism-specific analyses
• Environmental test and qualification plans
• Ground- and in-flight performance validation plans
• Supply chain and high-volume manufacturing trades
• Partner with thermal and platform architecture teams to scope the pumped-fluid-loop roadmap
• Collaborate with thermal, structures, avionics, and satellite bus teams
• Prepare design reviews to secure stakeholder buy-in
• Own and refine program deliverables and schedules

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
• 8+ years of experience with mechanical and/or electromechanical design and analysis
• 2+ years of experience design and analysis of turbomachinery in harsh environments
• Experience with CAD or FEA software packages

Nice to have

• Experience designing, building, and testing centrifugal or axial pumps for closed-loop thermal systems, including impeller geometry, volute/diffuser design, and hydraulic performance prediction
• 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 bearing analysis, preload techniques, and preload measurement
• The practical application of GD&T
• 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

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 is a high-growth Series D-funded company.