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Principal Mechanisms Engineer, Optical

K2 Space· Mechanical
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Los Angeles, CA$175k - $200kfull-timePosted 5mo ago

About the role

Role focused on defining design, manufacturing, testing, integration, and deployment of coarse pointing assemblies for large aperture optical payloads on K2 satellites. Requires delivering mechanisms design, line-of-sight budgeting, environmental plans, manufacturing plans, and validation strategies for high-precision optical payloads across multiple orbits.

Responsibilities

  • Design and tolerancing for coarse pointing assemblies
  • Line-of-sight error budgeting and stabilization analysis
  • Environmental test and qualification plan
  • Supply chain and high-volume manufacturing plans
  • Ground- and in-flight performance validation plans for coarse pointing assemblies
  • Collaborate with optical and satellite bus teams to determine optimal requirements for optical payload coarse pointing assemblies
  • Own top-level CAD assembly for optical payloads and coordinate with structures team for bus placement
  • Prepare design reviews and communicate expectations to hardware, software, test, and manufacturing teams
  • Continually own and refine program deliverables and schedules throughout development and production
  • Evaluate and select manufacturing equipment for specialty processes
  • Partner with production to develop work instructions, in-process checkouts, and end-of-line tests to ensure successful builds

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
  • 8+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optomechanics, electromechanical mechanisms, or electrical/mechanical design and testing
  • Deep experience with CAD and FEA software (NX, Simcenter, FEMAP, Hypermesh)
  • Minimum 3+ years of experience with one or more programming languages (Python, Rust, C++, MATLAB)

Skills

Required:Coarse pointing mechanism designLine-of-sight budgetingEnvironmental testing and qualification planningManufacturing and supply chain planningSystems integration and test planning

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks
Last updated Aug 26, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About K2 Space

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