Manager, Build Engineering
- Permanent
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
You'll oversee the integration of the full satellite while shaping the production muscle that will carry us into the future. From first vehicle to scaled fleet, you'll build the factory of tomorrow and enable us to produce satellites at a rate that matches our vision for space. You won't just oversee the build; from the first bolt torqued to final vehicle delivery, you'll architect the process, tools, and culture that make quality at scale possible. Working shoulder-to-shoulder with design, systems, and production teams, you'll champion design changes that unlock speed, precision, and manufacturability. Our goal to produce more than one satellite per week will depend on your vision, your ability to rally cross-functional teams, and your drive to shape the factory of the future.
Responsibilities
- Develop and lead a world-class team – hire, mentor, and develop experts in process engineering, tooling design, build reliability, assembly, and integration
- Own spacecraft integration through final vehicle assembly and launch site processing, ensuring accuracy, repeatability, and quality
- Develop assembly flows, tooling requirements, fixtures, build sequencing, and process documentation that make flawless execution repeatable
- Partner early with design teams to drive design-for-integration and ensure our spacecraft is as producible as it is revolutionary
- Mold our MES system and production supporting applications to best serve the company's top priorities
- Collaborate closely with manufacturing, design, quality, supply chain, production, and test teams to resolve build issues, ensure integration readiness, and maintain schedule
- Represent build engineering in design reviews, readiness reviews, and with customers
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace, or related engineering field
- 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience
- Experience leading projects through prototype builds, design iterations, and scaling to production
- Experience creating clear, effective work instructions, process documentation, and tooling designs
- Track record of managing vendors, suppliers, and strategic technical partners to deliver on time and per specification
Nice to Have
- 10+ years of manufacturing engineering experience
- Experience leading and/or managing large teams on technically complex projects throughout the development and build process
- Background in high-volume or highly automated manufacturing environments
- Experience with precision alignment, metrology, complex system integration, and lift operations
- Familiarity with cleanroom operations and satellite or spacecraft assembly requirements
- Experience leading integration efforts for high-volume or rapid-turn spacecraft programs
- Excellent cross-team communication and problem-solving skills
- Active Top Secret or DoD Secret clearance with SAP eligibility
Compensation and Benefits:
- Base salary range for this role is $160,000 - $215,000 + 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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