Principal Process Engineer Solar

Role Overview

K2 Space is a rapidly growing space startup developing high‑power satellite platforms across all orbits. This role focuses on process engineering for the solar array systems that enable the company’s mission capabilities.

• Develop, qualify, and optimize the production‑scale processes for K2’s solar arrays, including module interconnects, bonding, sintering, lamination, deposition, coating, and surface treatments.
• Research, evaluate, and select conventional and novel processes, driving trade studies that balance performance, manufacturability, cost, reliability, and schedule.
• Design and execute structured DOE and statistical analyses to diagnose manufacturing problems and validate corrective actions.
• Apply first‑principle, physics‑based characterizations across production processes to identify variation sources and yield‑improvement opportunities.
• Lead failure analysis, defect characterization, and root‑cause investigations for process‑related anomalies.
• Establish and drive corrective‑action plans into design requirements and production.
• Own the evaluation, cost/benefit analysis, and selection of manufacturing equipment for all in‑house process development.
• Collaborate with production to develop process specifications, work instructions, in‑process checkouts, and end‑of‑line tests.
• Define qualification criteria, test envelopes, and characterization campaigns to establish performance across radiation, thermal cycling, mechanical, and plasma environments.
• Partner with solar structures, thermal, avionics, and production teams to define manufacturing‑driven requirements, qualification/acceptance testing, and on‑orbit data review.
• Collaborate with leadership on staffing plans, role definitions, and recruiting to ensure the solar‑array team can meet system deliverables.
• Mentor engineers and establish institutional process knowledge and best practices at production scale.

• Bachelor’s degree in materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, aerospace engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in materials and process engineering with deep experience in material selection, characterization, qualification, and production‑scale process development.
• Demonstrated track record of material and process decisions validated through flight or equivalent high‑reliability hardware programs.

• Master’s or PhD in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field.
• Prior experience architecting manufacturing processes for solar array systems across the full lifecycle.
• Hands‑on experience with multiple solar array material systems and varying cell technologies, encapsulant chemistries, and architectures.
• Deep knowledge of adhesive systems, composites, thin films, thermal interface materials, and coatings for high‑power, long‑life solar hardware.
• Working knowledge of AIAA, NASA, and related standards for solar module qualification, materials usage, and spacecraft charging effects.
• Understanding of radiation effects on solar cell and module materials (displacement damage, ionizing effects, UV degradation, atomic‑oxygen erosion).
• Experience with deposition techniques for anti‑reflective coatings, chemical etching, encapsulant deposition, and failure analysis.
• Hands‑on proficiency with material‑characterization tools: SEM, EDS, FTIR, DSC, TGA, XRD, or equivalent.
• Experience scaling processes from prototype to high‑rate production, including SPC and equipment qualification.
• Proficiency in Python or MATLAB for data analysis and degradation modeling.

• Base salary range $175,000 – $200,000 plus equity.
• Salary based on knowledge, skills, education, and experience.
• Comprehensive benefits: paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and additional perks.

K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced 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. We also provide reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities.