Global Supply Manager, Solar

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 be responsible for several aspects of the critical supply chain organization. You will be responsible for finding, building, and managing the quality of parts running in our mechanical supply chain. Key skills will include: technical procurement of solar array and module hardware and Bill of Material management for owned assemblies. You will travel to monitor supplier progress and health, while negotiating business contracts and price reductions over time to ensure the K2 satellites continue to strategically reduce costs over time. 

Responsibilities  

• Technical Procurement  
  • Source solar array and module hardware across the satellite often on expedited lead times 
  • Negotiate costs on solar array and module components 
  • Provide design for manufacturability feedback for new solar designs 
• Planning   
  • Manage Bill of Materials for all solar array and module assemblies 
  • Lead Clear to Builds with engineering to ensure assembly milestones are completed to hit critical company deadlines 
• Supplier Development and Management  
  • Develop and manage supplier base to support ongoing development across satellites subsystems from NPI through production phases 
  • Act as the primary interface between suppliers and internal customers including: supplier onboarding, evaluation, negotiation, and project management 

Qualifications  

• 5+ years of experience of supply chain management or engineering in the aerospace industry 
• 5+ years of experience in procuring the following commodities: machined and sheet metal components, composites, and solar cells. 
• Experience managing suppliers in a fast paced environment 
• Understanding of solar array and module hardware in space environments and operations  
• Strong understanding of quality control practices such as issue tickets 
• Ability to collaborate in a cross-functional environment with engineering, production, and finance  
• Ability to travel up to 25-50% of the time 
• Must be able to lift and carry parts or equipment up to 25 lbs. unassisted 

Nice to Have  

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, finance, mechanical, aerospace, mathematics, or other relevant engineering discipline 
• Experience in procuring the additional commodities: capital equipment, composites, aluminum, and flex circuits 
• 5+ years of technical procurement experience 
• 5+ years in a new product introduction environment 
• Experience implementing AS9100 or completing AS9100 audits 
• Forklift certification 
• Experience reading and interpreting technical engineering drawings 

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 
• Comprehensive benefits package including unlimited paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks 

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.