Principal Build & Integration Engineer
About this role
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 US 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
As a Principal Build Engineer, you'll be at the helm of K2's Mega class satellite build campaign as we accelerate into high-rate production. You’ll drive instrumental changes to the build flow, working to optimize build sequencing and adapt to vehicle issues as they arise throughout integration to ensure on-schedule delivery. You'll become a vehicle systems expert, collaborating with many different teams across the company. Our ideal candidate thrives in ambiguity, turning complexity into clarity while pioneering industry-leading tools, techniques, and designs that push the boundaries of satellite manufacturing.
Responsibilities
- Develop integration planning and satellite build flows for the K2 Mega class satellite at the system level
- Partner with production to define, create, and iterate on solutions that increase build efficiency
- Refine processes and create tools to reduce the number of nonconformances at all stages of vehicle build
- Serve as an integration point of contact for vehicle and stacked vehicle level proto-qualification
- Drive electrical and mechanical design engineers to implement game-changing Design-For-Integration improvements
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other engineering discipline
- 10+ years of experience in an integration engineering role (includes internships and hardware-intensive extracurricular projects)
- Experience creating, improving, and deleting production process and workflows in a high-rate production environment
- Experience interacting with CAD software and CAD models
- Experience working in a clean room and with ESD-sensitive equipment
- Experience leading lift operations
- Experience creating GSE, tooling, or shipping containers to support production operations
- Experience with qualification campaigns on large assemblies (proof, vibration, shock, TVAC, acoustic)
- Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills
- Expert multitasking skills with the ability to juggle priorities while maintaining focus to deliver against program goals
Nice to Have
- Proficient in Python
- Experience or exposure in a test or automation role
- Experience leading launch integration operations
- Experience with payload integration
- Active security clearance
Compensation and Benefits
- Base salary range for this role is $175,000 - $200,000 + equity in the company
- Salary 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.
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.
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