Satellite Mechanical Engineer (blanket)

Job Description

Job Description

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

Critical to achieving K2's vision of deploying at scale across MEO, GEO, cis-lunar, and deep space are the solar arrays. You will own the success of the flexible photovoltaic array (PVA) blanket assemblies that power our spacecraft, among the largest solar arrays to ever reach orbit. In your first 6 months you will trade and complete the detailed design and analysis of the PV blanket assembly, participate in solar array build process trades, define development test campaigns, and produce our next generation full-scale development blankets. Within your first year, you will bring the PVA blanket assembly through qualification and drive the integration of flight blankets onto our Mega-class spacecraft. In your first two years, you will lead the design and execution with production teams to support scaling and refined characterization of their on-orbit performance.

Responsibilities

• Take flexible photovoltaic array (PVA) blanket assemblies from conceptual, qualification, through to on-orbit operations supporting internal and external customer needs

• Lead PVA blanket subsystem design reviews covering power and mechanical requirements from kickoff through qualification and beyond

• Drive hardware development through hands-on prototyping, development testing, analysis correlation, and design iterations

• Perform trade studies on blanket construction — including substrate materials, cell laydown, interconnect routing, and lamination methods — that steer subsystem and product-level direction

• Develop and execute component and assembly-level test programs, including coupon characterization, risk reduction, and qualification testing

• Apply Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/DFA) principles to blanket fabrication processes, partnering with production on work instructions and end-of-line acceptance tests

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish product requirements, interface definitions, and best practices for blanket design and manufacturing

• Own and refine subsystem deliverable 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)

• 2+ 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 flexible or composite assemblies for aerospace applications — particularly solar array blankets, PV modules, or deployable structures

• Familiarity with photovoltaic cell handling, interconnect processes (welding, soldering), and lamination techniques for flexible substrates

• Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems in space environments and operations

• Experience with the practical application of GD&T

• Understanding of space environment effects on materials and assemblies — radiation, thermal cycling, UV degradation, atomic oxygen, and vacuum outgassing

• Exposure to solar array and mechanisms standards such as AIAA S-111, AIAA S-112, or NASA-STD-5017

• Experience with structural and thermal analysis of thin, flexible structures (CTE mismatch, stowage strain, deployed dynamics)

• Demonstrated ability to own hardware through rapid design-build-test cycles within an integrated engineering team

• Python or MATLAB proficiency for test data reduction and analysis

• 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 - $140,000 + 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.