Principal Optomechanical Engineer

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 

K2’s plan doesn't stop at satellite buses, however. By operating our own vehicles and manifesting regular rides to space, K2 is uniquely positioned to design, test, and deploy-at-scale ambitious optical payloads in MEO, GEO, cis-lunar, and deep space on unprecedented timelines. The satellite bus is the platform – the payloads are the mission. 

There are any number of space-based optical payloads that can generate value here on Earth (ex. forest fire detection, climate and atmospheric monitoring, etc.) and further planetary science in our solar system (ex. hyper-spectral imaging, laser-altimetry) -- all of which benefit from large aperture, diffraction-limited telescopes for collecting and transmitting optical energy from the UV to the infrared. 

As Principal Optomechanical Engineer, you will be responsible for defining how K2 designs, manufactures, tests, and deploys large aperture optics. The development timelines and manufacturing scale that we are targeting require meaningful innovation; you will have the resources and full support of K2 to make this possible and help raise the bar for the next generation of space technology companies. 

Responsibilities 

• Responsible for delivering the... 
  • Design and tolerancing; 
  • Structural-Thermal-Optical (STOP) analysis; 
  • Environmental testing; 
  • Supply chain and high-volume manufacturing (ie. fabrication + alignment) plans; and  
  • Optical metrology / performance validation
  • ... of diffraction-limited large aperture (100 - 300mm diameter) space-qualified telescopes for a variety of optical payloads. 

• Collaborate with the optical and satellite bus teams to determine optimal set of requirements for large aperture front-end optics. 
• As a subject matter expert on optomechanics and optical fabrication at K2, consult on optomechanical design, mounting, and alignment of smaller optics and internally developed technologies. 
• Forecast a staffing plan, define roles, and interview candidates to ensure the optical payloads team is staffed appropriately to meet telescope deliverables on schedule. 
• Manufacturing is a major emphasis of this role. For any in-house fabrication, you’ll be responsible for the evaluation and selection of manufacturing equipment and working with the production team to develop a factory layout, work instructions, in-process checkouts, and end-of-line tests to ensure successful builds. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, optical engineering, physics, or a related technical field. 
• 8+ years of experience in the design, manufacture, and test of optical components. 

Nice to Have 

• Experience with optical mirror fabrication using single-point diamond turning machines. 
• Proficiency with optical design software, CAD software, thermal and structural finite element analysis software – ideally Zemax, NX, and Ansys respectively. 
• Experience conducting environmental acceptance and qualification test campaigns on optical assemblies. 
• Familiarity with a broad range of optics manufacturing techniques and equipment and expertise in design for manufacturability. 
• Expertise in high volume (qty 40 ~ >1000) optics manufacturing and test. 
• Experience with the design of a wide variety of telescope architectures, especially unobscured apertures (off-axis reflectors, three mirror anistigmats, free-form mirrors). 
• Experience modifying and qualifying COTS optics and assemblies for extreme environments. 

Compensation and Benefits: 

• Base salary range for this role is $190,000 - $280,000 + 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 

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!

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

Export Compliance

As defined in the ITAR, “U.S. Persons” include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a “U.S. Person.”

The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.

Equal Opportunity

K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.