RF Mechanical Engineer
K2 Space, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Company Overview
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 – K2 is mass‑producing the highest‑power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.
About the Role
You will own the success of RF‑related mechanical structures and associated mechanisms that will be core RF hardware components for the largest, most powerful satellites in the industry. In your first 6 months, you will define mechanical requirements, create initial concepts and trades, perform preliminary and detailed analysis, define development test campaigns, trade and select any purchased RF mechanical subsystems, and produce development hardware. In your first year, you will validate your designs through prototype iterations and build and qualify flight hardware. To achieve this, you’ll work alongside partners across electrical hardware, test, software, manufacturing, integration, and operations to execute your vision for the highest‑capability satellite RF mechanical systems in the industry.
Responsibilities
Take RF mechanical hardware from conceptual design through qualification to on‑orbit operations in order to support internal and external customer needs.
Lead design reviews from kickoff through qualification and beyond.
Drive mechanical hardware development, including hands‑on development testing, analysis correlation, and follow‑on hardware iterations.
Perform hardware trades that steer both RF mechanical sub‑system and top‑level RF hardware direction.
Collaborate with a cross‑functional RF team to establish mechanical hardware product requirements, company processes, and best practices for hardware design and manufacturing.
Continually own and refine system deliverables and associated schedules throughout development and production.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline.
2+ years of experience with mechanical and/or electromechanical design and analysis.
Experience with CAD or FEA software packages.
Experience with the practical application of GD&T.
Demonstrated proficiency in the principles of mechanical design, materials, thermodynamics, and thermal solutions.
Demonstrated ability to personally design, build, and test hardware from a blank canvas, including troubleshooting and iterating designs based on downstream feedback.
Nice to Have
Experience designing, building, and testing RF systems, antenna design, and deployment mechanisms for aerospace applications (satellite mechanical systems, payloads, launch vehicles, propulsion systems, and/or aircraft structures and mechanisms).
Experience with NASA‑STD‑5017, SMC‑S‑016, and GSFC‑STD‑7000 for the design and qualification of in‑space moving mechanism assemblies and electronics enclosures.
Demonstrated ability to own mechanical hardware or systems within an integrated engineering team outside a classroom setting.
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.
Active Top Secret or Secret clearance with SAP eligibility.
Compensation and Benefits
Base salary range for this role is $100,000 – $140,000+ equity in the company.
Salary and level 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.
Equal Opportunity Employer
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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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 – K2 is mass‑producing the highest‑power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.
About the Role
You will own the success of RF‑related mechanical structures and associated mechanisms that will be core RF hardware components for the largest, most powerful satellites in the industry. In your first 6 months, you will define mechanical requirements, create initial concepts and trades, perform preliminary and detailed analysis, define development test campaigns, trade and select any purchased RF mechanical subsystems, and produce development hardware. In your first year, you will validate your designs through prototype iterations and build and qualify flight hardware. To achieve this, you’ll work alongside partners across electrical hardware, test, software, manufacturing, integration, and operations to execute your vision for the highest‑capability satellite RF mechanical systems in the industry.
Responsibilities
Take RF mechanical hardware from conceptual design through qualification to on‑orbit operations in order to support internal and external customer needs.
Lead design reviews from kickoff through qualification and beyond.
Drive mechanical hardware development, including hands‑on development testing, analysis correlation, and follow‑on hardware iterations.
Perform hardware trades that steer both RF mechanical sub‑system and top‑level RF hardware direction.
Collaborate with a cross‑functional RF team to establish mechanical hardware product requirements, company processes, and best practices for hardware design and manufacturing.
Continually own and refine system deliverables and associated schedules throughout development and production.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline.
2+ years of experience with mechanical and/or electromechanical design and analysis.
Experience with CAD or FEA software packages.
Experience with the practical application of GD&T.
Demonstrated proficiency in the principles of mechanical design, materials, thermodynamics, and thermal solutions.
Demonstrated ability to personally design, build, and test hardware from a blank canvas, including troubleshooting and iterating designs based on downstream feedback.
Nice to Have
Experience designing, building, and testing RF systems, antenna design, and deployment mechanisms for aerospace applications (satellite mechanical systems, payloads, launch vehicles, propulsion systems, and/or aircraft structures and mechanisms).
Experience with NASA‑STD‑5017, SMC‑S‑016, and GSFC‑STD‑7000 for the design and qualification of in‑space moving mechanism assemblies and electronics enclosures.
Demonstrated ability to own mechanical hardware or systems within an integrated engineering team outside a classroom setting.
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.
Active Top Secret or Secret clearance with SAP eligibility.
Compensation and Benefits
Base salary range for this role is $100,000 – $140,000+ equity in the company.
Salary and level 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.
Equal Opportunity Employer
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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