Principal Development Test Engineer at K2 Space

Los Angeles, California, United States

K2 Space Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Aerospace, SpaceIndustries

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
  • 8+ years of industry experience with mechanical, structural, and/or electromechanical test, design, and analysis
  • Experience designing, building, and testing mechanical assemblies and test fixtures for aerospace or terrestrial applications (satellite mechanical systems, payloads, launch vehicles, propulsion systems, and/or aircraft structures and mechanisms)
  • Experience with CAD or FEA software packages
  • Hands-on fabrication experience

Responsibilities

  • Design and fabricate test hardware, test stands, and test systems, as well as execute development tests for structures, components, and materials in order to support internal and external customer needs
  • Lead satellite subsystem test campaigns from kickoff through test report and beyond
  • Drive hands on hardware development testing, analysis processing/data reduction, and continuous improvement of testing methods and best practices across the company
  • Steer the development of data acquisition, control, and instrumentation systems at the integrated level and develop internal tools and company-wide best practices
  • Collaborate with a cross-functional team to establish product requirements, testing methods and project test schedules, and mentor early-career engineers

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Structural TestingMaterials TestingElectromechanical TestingTest Fixture DesignTest Stand FabricationDevelopment TestingPrototype TestingTest Campaign Management

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What qualifications are required for the Principal Development Test Engineer role?

A Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline is required, along with 8+ years of industry experience with mechanical, structural, and/or electromechanical test, design, and analysis. Candidates should also have experience designing, building, and testing mechanical assemblies and test fixtures for aerospace or terrestrial applications.

What are the main responsibilities of this position?

Responsibilities include designing and fabricating test hardware and systems, leading satellite subsystem test campaigns, driving hands-on hardware testing and best practices, developing data acquisition systems, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to mentor engineers.

Is this a remote position or does it require on-site work?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the salary or compensation for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What kind of work environment can I expect at K2 Space?

K2 Space offers a fast-paced environment at a groundbreaking Series B space startup, with opportunities for hands-on work with flight hardware, leading multidisciplinary test campaigns, and mentoring a growing team.

K2 Space

Manufactures cost-effective high-capability satellite buses

About K2 Space

K2 Space manufactures and sells satellite buses, which are the main structures and systems of satellites, excluding the payload. Their products allow clients to create customized satellites for various missions, including scientific research, commercial communication, and defense. K2 Space's approach breaks the traditional link between satellite size and cost, enabling the deployment of large, high-capability satellites at lower prices. This is achieved by leveraging advanced satellite technology and a team with experience from top aerospace companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin. K2 Space aims to make space missions more accessible by providing affordable satellite solutions, thus expanding opportunities for exploration and development in the aerospace sector.

West Hollywood, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2022Year Founded
$66.6MTotal Funding
SERIES_ACompany Stage
AerospaceIndustries
51-200Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Parental Leave
Company Equity

Risks

Increased competition from established companies like SpaceX threatens K2 Space's market share.
Reliance on venture capital funding may lead to financial instability if interest wanes.
Potential delays in launching their first Mega satellite could impact reputation and trust.

Differentiation

K2 Space offers high-capability satellite buses at a fraction of traditional costs.
The company breaks the historical correlation between satellite mass and cost.
K2 Space's team includes veterans from leading aerospace companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin.

Upsides

K2 Space secured a $60M contract from the U.S. Space Force for satellite missions.
The company raised $50M to build Mega Class satellites, boosting its financial position.
Growing demand for satellite-based internet services expands K2 Space's market reach.

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