Fluids Manufacturing Engineer
Required skills
- Pumped Fluid Loop
- manufacturing engineering
- DFM
- production process
- CAD software
- component qualification
- vibrational testing
- thermal testing
- fluid systems assembly
- leak testing
Nice to have
- test
- automation
- Python
- Rust
- fluid component functional testing
- pumps
Role summary
K2 Space is seeking a Fluids Manufacturing Engineer to lead the clean-sheet manufacturing effort for their first Pumped Fluid Loop (PFL), a critical system for high-powered space payloads. This role involves partnering with design engineers to ensure manufacturability, building the first prototype, designing build flows and tooling, and finalizing the transition to rate production. Responsibilities include setting up the work center for fluid component creation, assembly, and testing, leading DFM efforts, developing manufacturing plans, and deploying advanced manufacturing technologies. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline and 3+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, including process development, CAD interaction, component qualification, and fluid system assembly. Experience with clean rooms, ESD-sensitive equipment, and GSE/tooling is required. Python/Rust proficiency, test/automation exposure, and functional fluid component testing experience are preferred.
K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, ICONIQ, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and T. Rowe Price — and with over $1 billion 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 in 2027 and plans to scale to 100 satellites a year, we're Building Bigger — helping develop the solar system and build toward 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 high-growth Series D-funded company, we'd love for you to apply.
The Role
You will spearhead the clean-sheet manufacturing effort for creating K2 Space’s first Pumped Fluid Loop (PFL), a system integral for unlocking the ability to fly the highest-powered payloads ever put into space. Partnering with design engineers, you will ensure manufacturability of designs, build the first prototype, design the build flow and tooling, and finalize the process for transitioning components and assemblies from design to rate production. You will lead the setup of the work center for fluid components creation, assembly, and test. In your first year you will iterate upon the design, tooling, and station, transitioning them to production.
Responsibilities
Qualifications
Nice to Have
Compensation and Benefits
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.
Similar roles
- Production Manager, Machining & FabricationK2 Space · Los Angeles, CA · Onsite
- HR Business PartnerK2 Space · Los Angeles, CA · Onsite
Manufacturing EngineernVent · Anoka, MN · Onsite
Manufacturing Engineer - Metal Machine ShopIntuitive Machines · San Jose, CA · Onsite
Manufacturing Engineer - CMC MachiningRolls-Royce · Indianapolis, IN · Onsite- Manufacturing Engineer – IB4Foxconn Industrial Internet · Houston, TX · Onsite
