Satellite Mechanical Engineer (blanket)

The Role 

Critical to achieving K2's vision of deploying at scale across MEO, GEO, cis-lunar, and deep space are the solar arrays. You will own the success of the flexible photovoltaic array (PVA) blanket assemblies that power our spacecraft, among the largest solar arrays to ever reach orbit. In your first 6 months you will trade and complete the detailed design and analysis of the PV blanket assembly, participate in solar array build process trades, define development test campaigns, and produce our next generation full-scale development blankets. Within your first year, you will bring the PVA blanket assembly through qualification and drive the integration of flight blankets onto our Mega-class spacecraft. In your first two years, you will lead the design and execution with production teams to support scaling and refined characterization of their on-orbit performance.  

Responsibilities 

• Take flexible photovoltaic array (PVA) blanket assemblies from conceptual, qualification, through to on-orbit operations supporting internal and external customer needs 

• Lead PVA blanket subsystem design reviews covering power and mechanical requirements from kickoff through qualification and beyond 

• Drive hardware development through hands-on prototyping, development testing, analysis correlation, and design iterations 

• Perform trade studies on blanket construction — including substrate materials, cell laydown, interconnect routing, and lamination methods — that steer subsystem and product-level direction 

• Develop and execute component and assembly-level test programs, including coupon characterization, risk reduction, and qualification testing 

• Apply Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/DFA) principles to blanket fabrication processes, partnering with production on work instructions and end-of-line acceptance tests 

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish product requirements, interface definitions, and best practices for blanket design and manufacturing 

• Own and refine subsystem deliverable schedules throughout development and production 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline 

• Experience with CAD or FEA software packages (experience can be in a professional, academic, entrepreneurial, or hobby setting) 

• 2+ years of experience with mechanical and/or electromechanical design and analysis (internship, team project, graduate research, and extracurricular experience is applicable) 

Nice to Have 

• Experience designing, building, and testing flexible or composite assemblies for aerospace applications — particularly solar array blankets, PV modules, or deployable structures 

• Familiarity with photovoltaic cell handling, interconnect processes (welding, soldering), and lamination techniques for flexible substrates 

• Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems in space environments and operations 

• Experience with the practical application of GD&T 

• Understanding of space environment effects on materials and assemblies — radiation, thermal cycling, UV degradation, atomic oxygen, and vacuum outgassing 

• Exposure to solar array and mechanisms standards such as AIAA S-111, AIAA S-112, or NASA-STD-5017 

• Experience with structural and thermal analysis of thin, flexible structures (CTE mismatch, stowage strain, deployed dynamics) 

• Demonstrated ability to own hardware through rapid design-build-test cycles within an integrated engineering team 

• Python or MATLAB proficiency for test data reduction and analysis 

• Independent and self-motivated mindset, with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills 

Compensation and Benefits: 

• Base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $140,000 + equity in the company 

• Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level