Senior Mechanisms Engineer, Optical

Responsibilities

• Deliver architectural down-selection, design, and tolerancing for precision optical mechanisms
• Perform mechanism-specific analyses including structural, controls, and thermal
• Develop environmental test and qualification plans
• Create supply chain and high-volume manufacturing plans
• Design ground- and in-flight performance validation plans
• Collaborate with optical and satellite bus teams to determine requirements
• Prepare design reviews and communicate with hardware, software, and manufacturing teams
• Own and refine program deliverables and schedules
• Evaluate and select manufacturing equipment for specialty processes
• Partner with production to develop work instructions and in-process checkouts

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or relevant engineering discipline
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in optics, laser technology, electromechanical mechanisms, or electrical/mechanical design
• Deep experience with CAD and FEA software (e.g., NX, Simcenter, FEMAP, Hypermesh)
• Minimum 2 years of experience with programming languages such as Python, Rust, C++, or MATLAB

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing flexure-guided mechanisms
• Experience with voice-coil or piezo driven mechanisms
• Experience with electronic enclosure packaging for space applications
• Experience with fine-pointing and line-of-sight stabilization solutions
• Proficiency in detailed mechanical analysis (tolerance stack-up, kinematic modeling, vibration/shock)
• Knowledge of implementing control loops (PID, adaptive, MPC)
• Experience with NASA-STD-5017, SMC-S-016, and GSFC-STD-7000

About the Company

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by leading investors, K2 is mass-producing high-power satellite platforms for missions ranging from LEO to deep space.