Joblaze summary

In this hands-on leadership role, the Production Manager oversees the assembly and testing of avionics and electro-mechanical components for spacecraft, ensuring that flight hardware meets rigorous standards. The position requires expertise in managing large production teams and familiarity with aerospace manufacturing processes, particularly with flight hardware. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in high-volume production environments and a proven track record of improving efficiency and quality. K2 Space is focused on scaling its operations significantly, making this role critical to its ambitious growth plans.

Joblaze insights

Listed 7 days ago — first seen on Joblaze October 31, 2026. Last confirmed on K2 Space's careers page November 6, 2026.
Salary band is below the typical range for Management roles (median ~$170,280).
Starts above 46% of 575 comparable senior management roles in United States we track (median $151,000 across 143 companies).
Manufacturing appears in 0.4% of 1027 comparable senior management roles in United States.

Quick facts

Is the Production Manager, Avionics and Electro-Mechanical role remote?: No — this is an on-site role in Los Angeles, CA.
What's the salary range?: K2 Space lists $150,000–$190,000 for this role.
How much experience is required?: At least 8 years of relevant experience for this Production Manager, Avionics and Electro-Mechanical role.
Where is the role based?: K2 Space is hiring for this position in Los Angeles, CA.
What's the tech stack?: Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: Aerospace, Manufacturing, Production Management.
What seniority level is this role?: K2 Space targets senior candidates for this position.
Is this full-time or contract?: Full-time for this Production Manager, Avionics and Electro-Mechanical 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

This is a hands-on leadership role – deep in the technical trenches with our team. The Avionics and Electro-Mechanical Production team builds and tests the flight hardware that powers, controls, and enables our spacecraft. This includes avionics boxes, batteries, mechanisms and actuators, flight harnesses, as well as the acceptance testing required to deliver flight-ready hardware to vehicle integration.

As Production Manager you will own these work centers from piece part through assembly, test, and final acceptance. You will be accountable for safety, quality, schedule, throughput, and team performance and development, while partnering closely with stakeholders in Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Design teams to resolve issues and continuously improve how we build and scale.

You will be expected to understand the hardware, spend dedicated time on the production floor, remove blockers efficiently, and build the systems and grow the team as we push towards higher-rate production in an environment unlike anywhere else.

Responsibilities

Manage and develop a talented team of Supervisors, Leads, and Technicians across multiple work centers including avionics, electro-mechanical assembly, harness fabrication, PCBA rework, and component acceptance testing

Own delivery of completed flight hardware to vehicle integration, ensuring hardware is built, tested, accepted, and delivered on or ahead of schedule

Establish clear production priorities and drive daily execution against build and test schedules, proactively removing constraints across material, tooling, equipment, procedures, and resources

Drive improvements in first-pass yield, cycle time, rework, throughput, and labor efficiency

Ensure production work is executed with complete configuration control, traceability, and manufacturing records

Establish effective production metrics and tools that provide visibility into output, quality, constraints, and recovery plans

Serve as Production’s voice to Engineering Leadership, influencing design, test strategy, and schedule decisions so hardware is built right the first time and delivered at rate

Qualifications

4+ years of experience managing large production teams throughout the development, manufacturing, and build processes for complex assemblies

8+ years of experience in production in a high volume, rapid environment in aerospace, defense, or complex hardware manufacturing industries

Direct experience with flight hardware including electro-mechanical assemblies, harnesses, PCBA, Solar, and box-level builds

Familiarity with J-STD-001, IPC/WHMA-A-620, ESD control, and flight hardware traceability

Track record of improving throughput and yield using data, with experience in MES or ERP-driven production

Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills

Demonstrated success leading from the floor in a fast-moving manufacturing environment

Nice to Have

Experience scaling spacecraft or satellite production from low rate to high rate

Experience with MES (WarpDrive, First Resonance ION or similar modern MES)

Background in capacity modeling, line design, and capital equipment justification

Additional Requirements

Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to support critical production and test milestones

Must be comfortable spending significant time in manufacturing, cleanroom, laboratory, and test environments

Must be able to travel occasionally to suppliers, test facilities, or other company locations as required

Compensation and Benefits:

Base salary range for this role is $150,000 - $190,000 + 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!

Standard company text repeated across K2 Space's postings is omitted here.

Production Manager, Avionics and Electro-Mechanical

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