Lead manufacturing strategy for high-power satellite systems at a fast-paced, high-growth aerospace company.
Posted by employer 2 days ago
First seen on Joblaze 1 day ago
Last verified on the company career page 1 day ago
What you'll build
- Own end-to-end manufacturing strategy for subsystems
- Lead DFM efforts with design engineering
- Architect scalable production flows for large spacecraft assemblies
- Develop and deploy advanced manufacturing technologies
- Mentor and develop junior manufacturing engineers
Must have
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
- 10+ years of experience in a high volume, rapid production environment
- Experience leading first article builds
- Experience setting up and scaling production lines
- Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams
Nice to have
- Experience designing tooling for mechanical subassemblies and electronics
- Demonstrated leadership of small engineering teams
- Deep familiarity with aerospace manufacturing standards
- Strong working knowledge of CAD software
- Experience working with MES
Requirements
- Experience
- 10+ years
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
Not disclosed in this posting: work arrangement, visa sponsorship.
Benefits
Joblaze summary
In this role, the Principal Electro-Mechanical Manufacturing Engineer at K2 Space will collaborate closely with design engineers to ensure manufacturability and lead the development of production processes for large satellite systems. Key skills include expertise in high-volume production environments, advanced manufacturing techniques, and the ability to influence design for manufacturability. This position is ideal for seasoned professionals with over a decade of experience in manufacturing and integration, particularly those with a background in aerospace. The company is in a growth phase, aiming to scale production significantly in the coming years.
Joblaze insights
- Listed yesterday — first seen on Joblaze September 23, 2026. Last confirmed on K2 Space's careers page September 23, 2026.
- This exact title is also open at 1 other location at K2 Space: Los Angeles, CA.
- Salary band is above the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$127,000).
- Starts above 29% of 77 comparable principal other roles in United States we track (median $190,000 across 27 companies).
Quick facts
- What's the salary range?
- K2 Space lists $175,000–$200,000 for this role.
- How much experience is required?
- At least 10 years of relevant experience for this Principal Electro-Mechanical Manufacturing Engineer role.
- What seniority level is this role?
- K2 Space targets principal-level candidates for this position.
- Is this full-time or contract?
- Full-time for this Principal Electro-Mechanical Manufacturing Engineer role at K2 Space.
From the original posting
K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, ICONIQ, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and T. Rowe Price — and with over $1 billion 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 Role
Partnering with design engineers early on in the process, you will ensure manufacturability, build the first prototype, design the build flow and fixturing, and finalize the process for transition to production. You will test out new techniques for manufacturing large satellite structures, mechanisms, and integrated electronics systems. In your first 6 months you will own manufacturing development for integrated avionics systems; define production-ready build flows, capacity models, and tooling strategies; and drive cross-functional DFM improvements that materially reduce risk, cost, or cycle time. In your first year you will lead implementation of advanced manufacturing techniques on flight hardware and transition prototype processes into stable, rate-capable production systems.
Responsibilities
- Own end-to-end manufacturing strategy for subsystems from concept through production ramp
- Lead DFM efforts with design engineering, influencing architecture decisions to optimize for cost, quality, scalability and integration risk
- Architect scalable production flows for large spacecraft assemblies including electromechanical systems, harnessing, and mechanisms
- Develop and deploy advanced manufacturing technologies, automation concepts, and tooling systems to support increasing production rate
- Establish production readiness plans including control plans, work instructions, takt alignment, and line balancing
- Mentor and develop junior manufacturing engineers and technicians, raising the technical bar across the organization
- Lead first article builds and flight hardware integration, resolving complex cross-functional technical issues
- Develop capacity models and rate ramp strategies to support program growth
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on cycle time reduction, yield improvement, and production robustness
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
- 10+ years of experience in a high volume, rapid production environment in a manufacturing, integration, and/or design engineering role
- Demonstrated results with product development and/or process improvements
- Experience leading first article builds and transitioning prototype processes into repeatable production
- Experience setting up and scaling production lines in a rapid development environment
- Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive design changes for manufacturability
Nice to Have
- Experience designing tooling for mechanical subassemblies and electronics
- Demonstrated leadership of small engineering teams or technical ownership of major subsystems
- Deep familiarity with aerospace manufacturing standards (IPC soldering standards, torque/welding standards, quality systems, AS9100 environments)
- Demonstrated experience developing production processes from the ground up including driving design improvements for manufacturing
- Strong working knowledge of CAD software (NX or equivalent) and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
- Experience working with MES to set up the foundation for procedure creation and documenting non-conformances
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 unlimited 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!
Standard company text repeated across K2 Space's postings is omitted here.