Senior Electrical Manufacturing Engineer

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

You will partner with design engineers early in the process to ensure manufacturability, build the first prototype, design the build flow and fixturing, and finalize the process for transition to production. Once transitioned, you will lead the effort to scale production and meet K2's ever-growing demand. You will drive new techniques for manufacturing complex PCBAs, harnessing, and integrated electronics systems, and partner closely with mechanical teams on the electromechanical assemblies and machined components these electronics integrate into.

In your first 6 months you will develop manufacturing methods and tooling for integrated avionics systems, define manufacturing flows for electronic subsystems, and lead Design-for-Excellence (DFX) guidance across PCBs, PCBAs, machined components, and higher-level assemblies. In your first year you will own the implementation of these advanced manufacturing techniques on flight hardware, scale the technology you develop to high-rate production, and help mentor other engineers on the team.

Responsibilities

• Lead design-for-excellence reviews with design engineers across PCBs, PCBAs, machined components, and assemblies for initial design, flight hardware, and tooling
• Lead the development of innovative manufacturing systems for spacecraft electronic assemblies, including electromechanical sub-assemblies, and harnessing.
• Create custom tools and processes to support the manufacturing technologies you create, including Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software
• Demonstrate the advanced manufacturing techniques on prototypes, working with the design teams to continuously improve the manufacturability of the designs
• Develop the subassembly build flow and iterate to create an efficient production flow for the satellite and ensure that build times align with current takt times
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior Manufacturing Engineers, technicians, and design peers on electronics manufacturing best practices
• Partner with a team of advanced manufacturing engineers to perform R&D of novel manufacturing technologies for current and future spacecraft products

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
• 6+ years of experience in a high volume, rapid production environment in a manufacturing, integration, and/or design engineering role
• Demonstrated track record leading product development and/or process improvements
• Strong understanding of IPC standards (e.g., IPC-A-610, IPC-A-600, J-STD-001) for PCB/PCBA workmanship and inspection
• Strong understanding of how to set up a manufacturing/production floor for first article builds and transitioning from low to high-rate manufacturing.
• Deep understanding of avionics subassembly manufacturing technologies, including PCBA assembly, wire harness manufacturing and PCBA/mechanical enclosure integration
• Strong understanding DFX guidance to design teams across PCBs, PCBAs, machined components, and mechanical assemblies
• Strong understanding of GD&T and mechanical assembly drawings, with the ability to review and provide feedback on electrical and mechanical designs
• Good understanding of conformal coating processes (selective spray, dip, or brush application) and associated inspection/rework methods for PCBAs, per standards such as IPC-CC-830 and NASA-STD-8739.1

Nice to Have

• Strong understanding and track record of tooling design for electromechanical subassemblies and electronics
• Demonstrated ability to independently develop production processes from the ground up, including driving design improvements for manufacturing
• Strong understanding of technician workflows and build tooling, with a track record of working closely with production teams to implement feedback-driven process improvements. Experience with aerospace manufacturing standards such as soldering standards, torque specifications, and quality assurance standards
• Familiarity with CAD software (NX or equivalent) and GD&T
• Strong understanding and experience working with MES, with the ability to set up the foundation for procedure creation, template generation and documentation of non-conformances

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base salary range for this role is $140,000 – $175,000 + 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