Principal Automation & Controls Engineer

Responsibilities

• Own the company roadmap of production automation across hardware and control layers
• Conceive, design, and develop production tooling electromechanical automation assemblies
• Lead hands-on buildout, activation, and qualification of automation and controls projects
• Shape and implement HMI strategy and PLC automation
• Implement strategies to increase production takt rate and first pass yield
• Mentor and develop junior engineers

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace, materials, or relevant engineering discipline
• 4+ years of experience in high-volume manufacturing or production environments
• 6+ years of experience in industrial automation and controls with full-stack ownership
• Strong hands-on aptitude for working with hardware on the production floor
• In-depth knowledge of precision assembly and electromechanical fabrication
• Ability to generate and review engineering drawings, schematics, and technical documentation
• Experience setting up manufacturing floors from first article builds through at-rate production

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with PLC/HMI/Robotics software control stacks
• Exposure to space, defense, or high-reliability manufacturing
• Experience designing automation systems for manufacturability
• Experience developing production processes from the ground up
• Familiarity with CAD software (NX or equivalent) and GD&T

About the Company

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, mass-producing high-power satellite platforms for missions from LEO to deep space.