Development Test Engineer

K2 Space • Los Angeles, CA

4d • $100,000 - $140,000

About The Position

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by $450M from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others – with an additional $500M 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 rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today’s and tomorrow’s massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits. With multiple launches planned through 2026 and 2027, we're Building Bigger to develop the solar system and become a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a groundbreaking Series C space startup, we’d love for you to apply. The Role You will own the success of component and subsystem testing across structural, thermal, fluid, dynamic, and electromechanical systems. In your first 6 months, you will define development test campaigns, design and build test setups, and be hands-on with flight hardware. In your first year, you will validate designs through prototype testing and lead multidisciplinary test campaigns. In your first two years you will progressively take on larger tests while directly supporting production and qualification testing.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
• Experience with CAD or FEA software packages
• 2+ years of industry experience with mechanical, structural, and/or electromechanical 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)
• Hands-on fabrication experience

Nice To Haves

• Experience with data acquisition, controls, and dedicated test equipment (examples include motor dynos, material testers, vibration tables, environmental data loggers, motorsports DAQ)
• Experience with the practical application of GD&T
• Experience with NX (Unigraphics) and Teamcenter PLM
• Experience with performing structural analysis (Simcenter 3D, Femap, or Hypermesh)
• Basic practical programming abilities (Python, MATLAB, Simulink, C++, R, LabVIEW)
• Demonstrated ability to own mechanical hardware or systems within an integrated engineering team outside a classroom setting (High Power Rocketry, CubeSats, Robotics Competitions, Formula SAE and Baja SAE, Engineers without Borders, Design-Build-Fly, NASA student launch, personal entrepreneurial ventures, etc.)
• Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems in space environments and operations
• Independent and self-motivated mindset, with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills

Responsibilities

• Own kickoff, design, fabrication, build, operation, data collection, and conclusion/results for development tests
• Design test hardware, fixturing, and tooling using CAD, FEA, and hand calculations
• Have a hands-on approach to activating test stands, operating test equipment, instrumentation, and executing tests in a safe and organized manner
• Troubleshoot performance issues and recommend solutions during test campaigns
• Clearly communicate technical data, findings, and recommendations to team members across all levels of the organization
• Continuously improve test standards by creating tools, methods, and processes

Benefits

• Base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $140,000 + 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees