Senior Mechanical Assurance Engineer
$130k - $185k USD
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
We’re building a modern, lightweight Quality function for a fast-moving aerospace/defense startup. If you love making mechanical hardware trustworthy—from early designs to flight-ready builds—this role gives you the runway to set direction, solve tricky problems, and help teams move faster with confidence.
Responsibilities
- Support translation of system and customer needs into clear mechanical requirements, risk assessments, and test plans
- Review models, drawings, and tolerance stacks to ensure fit, function, and critical feature protection (GD&T compliance).
- Collaborate with design and M&P teams on material/process selection and qualification strategies.
- Flow requirements into practical work instructions and inspection plans; establish process capability using SPC/MSA and control plans.
- Lead nonconformance management and drive durable corrective actions.
- Assess and audit supplier capability; manage APQP/PPAP deliverables and SCARs
- Develop and track quality metrics and apply analytics to predict risks.
- Align with AS9100/AS9145 standards while improving QMS for efficiency.
- Represent the team confidently during customer audits and visits.
Qualifications
- BS in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering (MS a plus) and hands-on experience with mission-critical hardware
- 7+ years of expereince leading projects independently
- Depth across mechanical commodities: structures (metallics/composites), mechanisms/actuators, propulsion hardware (tanks/lines/valves), machined parts & fasteners, GSE/tooling
- Strong fundamentals: GD&T and tolerance analysis; DFMEA/PFMEA; SPC/MSA; RCCA/8D/FRACAS; confident MRB leadership
- Familiar with AS9100 and AS9145/APQP; comfortable in PLM/MES (e.g., Teamcenter) and Jira
Nice to Have
- NADCAP experience (heat treat, coatings, welding, NDI/NDT); fracture/fatigue analysis and material allowables
- Supplier development, audits, and source inspections; day to day experience with GIDEP and DLA sites/resources
- APQP/PPAP leadership in aerospace/defense, automotive, medical
- Launch vehicle, space systems, UAVs, or defense program experience; building quality systems in a startup (0→1)
- Able to obtain a security clearance if required
Compensation and Benefits:
- Base salary range for this role is $130,000 - $185,000 + 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.