Principal Turbomachinery Engineer

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  

Critical to achieving K2's vision is deploying our 20-kW high-power spacecraft platform at scale across MEO, GEO, cis-lunar, and deep space. Realizing that vision means actively controlling the heat generated by the high-power payloads our platform hosts. This requires active thermal control systems such as pumped fluid loops, built from fluid turbomachinery, valves, accumulators, and pressure and temperature instrumentation. Scaling to constellations requires someone who can span the mechanical, fluid, electromechanical, and thermal-fluid domains and collaborate closely with the thermal, avionics, software, and production teams to deliver these systems at rate. 

As Principal Turbomachinery Engineer, you will define how K2 designs, analyzes, manufactures, tests, integrates, and deploys precision turbomachinery for integration into active thermal control systems. You will own these unique pieces of turbomachinery from concept through integration and rate production. You will be responsible for mission-critical hardware which goes to space. 

Responsibilities  

• Responsible for turbomachinery mechanisms in the spacecraft active thermal control system, including: 
• Architectural down-selection, design, and tolerancing 
• Pump- and mechanism-specific analyses (rotor dynamics, bearings and seals, hydraulic performance, structural, thermal-fluid) 
• Environmental test and qualification plans 
• Ground- and in-flight performance validation plans 
• Supply chain and high-volume manufacturing trades 
• Partner with the thermal and platform architecture teams to scope the long-term K2 pumped-fluid-loop roadmap, and system performance requirements 
• Collaborate with thermal, structures, avionics, and satellite bus teams to determine optimal operations and requirements for the pump, supporting mechanisms, and broader fluid loop 
• Prepare design reviews to secure stakeholder buy-in and communicate expectations across hardware, software, test, and manufacturing teams 
• Own and refine program deliverables and schedules throughout development and production 
• Evaluate and select manufacturing equipment for specialty processes (impeller machining, rotating-assembly balancing, leak/flow test) 
• Partner with production to develop work instructions, in-process checkouts, and end-of-line tests 

Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline 
• 8+ years of experience with mechanical and/or electromechanical design and analysis  
• 2+ years of experience design and analysis of turbomachinery in harsh environments 
• Experience with CAD or FEA software packages 

Nice to Have  

• Experience designing, building, and testing centrifugal or axial pumps for closed-loop thermal systems, including impeller geometry, volute/diffuser design, and hydraulic performance prediction 
• Experience with NASA-STD-5017, SMC-S-016, and GSFC-STD-7000 for the design and qualification of in-space Moving Mechanism Assemblies  
• Experience with bearing analysis, preload techniques, and preload measurement 
• Experience with the practical application of GD&T 
• Demonstrated ability to own moving mechanism assemblies across the full product lifecycle in a high velocity environment 
• Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems in space environments and operations 
• Independent and self-motivated mindset, with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills across disciplines 

Compensation and Benefits:  

• Base salary range for this role is $175,000 - $200,000 + equity in the company 
• Salary and level will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level 
• Comprehensive benefits package including 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.