Senior Solar Manufacturing Engineer Los Angeles, CA

Overview

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit.

Backed by $450M from leading investors and $500M in signed contracts, we’re mass‑producing the highest-power satellite platforms for missions from LEO to deep space.

The rise of heavy‑lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from a mass constraint era to one of mass abundance, demanding a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive harsh radiation environments, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale across multiple orbits.

With multiple launches planned through 2026 and 2027, we’re Building Bigger to develop the solar system and become a Kardashev Type II 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 groundbreaking Series C space startup, we’d love to hear from you.

You will lead the transformation of solar array designs into reliable, flight‑ready hardware ply embedded in the build of solar modules and photovoltaic arrays, you’ll operate at the center of production to drive process development, solve complex manufacturing challenges, and ensure hardware is built with precision, repeatability, and speed.

You’ll own critical manufacturing processes end‑to‑end, from early design engagement through production ramp and sustained operations. This role is built for someone who combines strong technical judgement with a bias for action. Your impact will extend beyond individual builds, shaping the foundation of manufacturing systems designed to deliver high‑performance solar hardware, reliability and at scale, for missions pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space.

• Own manufacturing processes for solar modules, photovoltaic array integration, and associated mechanical structures from development through production
• Develop, qualify, and maintain assembly procedures, tooling requirements, and build sequences that make flawless execution repeatable at scale
• Drive design‑for‑manufacturing feedback into array and module designs in partnership with the Solar Design team, identifying producibility risks early in the design cycle
• Lead root‑cause investigation and corrective action on builds escapes, non‑conformances, and process failures
• Support sourcing and qualification of manufacturing equipment, fixtures, and tooling; manage vendor relationships to ensure on‑spec delivery
• Mentor and technically guide Manufacturing Engineering team members
• Represent manufacturing engineering in design reviews and build readiness reviews

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace, materials or other relevant engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience in a high‑volume manufacturing, production, or hands‑on engineering environment
• Experience working with photovoltaic modules, solar cells, or electromechanical array assemblies
• Demonstrated ownership of end‑to‑end manufacturing processes in high‑rate environments, including process documentation, tooling, and build execution
• Track record of driving DFM improvements that tangibly reduced cost, cycle time, or defect rate
• Strong cross‑functional collaboration skills and comfortable engaging Design, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to resolve issues and close builds

• Hands‑on background in high‑volume or automated solar manufacturing environments
• Experience ramping a production line from pilot builds to sustained production rate
• Experience in space, defense, or other high‑reliability manufacturing environments with rigorous acceptance test requirements
• Experience working closely with technicians and build tooling
• Familiarity with CAD software (NX or equivalent) and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)

• Base salary range for this role is $140,000–$175,000 plus equity in the company
• Salary will be based on several factors including knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and…