Design optomechanical assemblies - optical benches, mirror mounts, lens cells, and support structures - from conceptual design through qualification to on-orbit operations, in support of internal and external customer needs
Own mounting and alignment of lenses and mirrors, selecting and designing mounting schemes (kinematic/semi-kinematic mounts, flexures, bonded interfaces) that constrain optics without over-constraining them
Design mirror support structures with explicit attention to jitter and dynamic stability, mount-induced deformation (bonding stress, bolt preload, gravity-release), and thermal stability (CTE matching, athermalization, gradient management)
Own optical alignment and stability budgets, translating wavefront and pointing decisions
Lead design reviews from kickoff through qualification and beyond
Drive hardware development, including hands-on assembly and alignment, development testing (vibration, thermal-vac, modal), analysis correlation, and follow-on hardware iterations
Perform hardware trades that steer both sub-system and top-level product direction
Collaborate with a cross-functional team - optical, thermal, structures, GNC, metrology, and manufacturing - to establish product requirements, company processes, and best practices for optomechanical design and manufacturing
Continually own and refine system deliverables and associated schedules throughout development and production
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, optical, or other relevant engineering discipline
5+ years of experience in mechanical or optomechanical design and analysis, with a mechanics-heavy background
Proficiency with 3D CAD software for detailed part and assembly design
Hands-on experience mounting optics (lenses and mirrors) and designing the structures that support them
Nice to Have
Proficiency with Siemens NX CAD
Familiarity with STOP (Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance) analysis and closing pointing/wavefront error budgets across mechanical, thermal, and optical domains
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Experience designing, building, and testing precision optomechanical or opto-structural hardware for aerospace applications (satellite payloads, telescopes, imagers, or optical instruments)
Experience with flexure design, optical bonding, and kinematic mount design for space environments
Demonstrated ability to own optomechanical hardware or systems within an integrated engineering team outside a classroom setting
Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems in space environments and operations
Demonstrated experience designing structures for optical stability, accounting for jitter, mounting deformation, and thermal effects
Experience with FEA for structural, modal, and thermal-elastic analysis
Experience with the practical application of GD&T, including tolerancing of precision optical interfaces
Demonstrated proficiency in the principles of mechanical design, materials, and structural dynamics
Demonstrated ability to personally design, build, align, and test hardware from a blank canvas, including troubleshooting and iterating designs based on downstream feedback
Compensation and Benefits
Base salary range for this role is $120,000 - $210,000 + equity in the company
Salary and level 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.
About K2 Space
Aerospace & DefenseFounded 2022
Satellite manufacturer building the largest and most powerful spacecraft platforms in orbit, engineered for LEO, MEO, GEO, and cislunar missions.
