Propulsion Design Engineer at K2 Space

Los Angeles, California, United States

K2 Space Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Mid-level (3 to 4 years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Aerospace, Space TechnologyIndustries

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
  • 3+ 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 fluids
  • Demonstrated ability to personally design, build, and test hardware from a blank canvas, including troubleshooting and iterating designs based on downstream feedback

Responsibilities

  • Own the mechanical design of propulsion system subassemblies including critical thruster components, the propellant management system, ground support equipment, and other structural components
  • Validate your designs through the entire lifecycle from concept to production, and successful flight demonstrations
  • Generate 3D models, fully dimensioned drawings, and interface control documents
  • Perform analysis on data from testing hardware, iterating designs, and critical go/no-go calls on hardware performance
  • Develop and execute component and system-level test plans
  • Manage key propulsion vendors and suppliers through hardware delivery
  • Continually own and refine sub-system deliverable schedules throughout development and production

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Mechanical DesignPropulsion SystemsPlasma PropulsionThruster ComponentsPropellant ManagementGround Support EquipmentPrototypingHardware TestingStructural DesignFlight Qualification

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What qualifications are required for the Propulsion Design Engineer role?

Candidates need a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline, 3+ years of experience with mechanical and/or electromechanical design and analysis, experience with CAD or FEA software, experience with GD&T, and proficiency in mechanical design, materials, thermodynamics, and fluids principles.

What does the Propulsion Design Engineer do on a daily basis?

You will own the mechanical design of propulsion system subassemblies, validate designs through the lifecycle, generate 3D models and drawings, perform analysis on test data, develop test plans, manage vendors, and refine schedules.

What is the work environment like at K2 Space?

K2 Space is a fast-paced Series B space startup building large, high-powered spacecraft, where motivated individuals thrive in a multidisciplinary team environment focused on groundbreaking missions to develop the solar system.

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

This information is not specified in the job description.

What makes a strong candidate for this Propulsion Design Engineer position?

A strong candidate has demonstrated ability to personally design, build, and test hardware from a blank canvas, including troubleshooting, along with hands-on experience in mechanical design and analysis in a fast-paced environment.

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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