Mechanical Engineering Supply Chain Lead
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 including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others – with an additional $500M 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 planned through 2026 and 2027, we're Building Bigger to develop the solar system and become 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 groundbreaking Series C space startup, we’d love for you to apply.
The Role
As a Mechanical Engineering Supply Chain Lead you will be responsible for several critical aspects of the supply chain organization. You will be responsible for finding, building, and managing the quality of parts in our mechanical supply chain with a special focus on mechanical and solar blanket assemblies. Key skills will include technical procurement of mechanical and structural hardware and Bill of Material (BOM) management for owned assemblies.
Responsibilities
Technical Procurement
Lead sourcing efforts on commodities such as bearings, motors, encoders, consumables, and adhesives in support of mechanical and structural assemblies
Negotiate contracts for highly complex components with specialized suppliers
Provide design for manufacturability feedback for new mechanical designs
Material Planning and Process Development
Manage the Bill of Materials for all owned mechanical and structural assemblies
Develop planning processes for improved mechanical assembly demand accuracy
Develop new software tools and processes to support better supply chain process controls in areas such as: quality clause deployment, logistics, and inventory management
Lead Clear to Builds with engineering to ensure assembly milestones are completed to hit critical company deadlines
Supplier Development and Management
Develop and manage the supplier base to support ongoing development across satellite subsystems from NPI through production phases
Act as the primary interface between suppliers and internal customers including supplier onboarding, evaluation, negotiation, and project management
Run Quarterly business reviews with strategic suppliers to ensure consistent improvement across the supply chain
Qualifications
3+ years of experience of supply chain management or engineering in the aerospace industry working on mechanism components
3+ years of technical experience with the following commodities: motors, bearings, and encoders or working in mechanical assemblies
Experience managing suppliers in a fast-paced environment
2+ years in production management or production planning
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% of the time
Nice to Have
Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, finance, mechanical, aerospace, mathematics, or other relevant engineering discipline
Experience in procuring the additional commodities: machined components, consumables, heat pipes, capital equipment
3+ years of technical procurement experience
3+ years in a new product introduction environment
Prior experience with space mechanisms and structures
Bill of Material Management and Planning Experience
Experience implementing AS9100 or completing AS9100 audits
Experience reading and interpreting technical engineering drawings
Experience working in a mechanical production facility
Compensation and Benefits:
Base salary range for this role is $90,000 - $120,000 + 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 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.