Principal Turbomachinery Engineer

<div class="content-intro"><p data-renderer-start-pos="41">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.</p>

<p data-renderer-start-pos="570">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.</p>

<p data-renderer-start-pos="994">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.</p></div><p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">The Role</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>

<p><span data-contrast="none">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.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>

<p><span data-contrast="none">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.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>

<p><strong><span data-contrast="none">Responsibilities</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":0,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>

<ul>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Responsible for turbomachinery mechanisms in the spacecraft active thermal control system, including:</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Architectural down-selection, design, and tolerancing</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Pump- and mechanism-specific analyses (rotor dynamics, bearings and seals, hydraulic performance, structural, thermal-fluid)</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Environmental test and qualification plans</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Ground- and in-flight performance validation plans</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Supply chain and high-volume manufacturing trades</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Partner with the thermal and platform architecture teams to scope the long-term K2 pumped-fluid-loop roadmap, and system performance requirements</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Collaborate with thermal, structures, avionics, and satellite bus teams to determine optimal operations and requirements for the pump, supporting mechanisms, and broader fluid loop</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Prepare design reviews to secure stakeholder buy-in and communicate expectations across hardware, software, test, and manufacturing teams</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Own and refine program deliverables and schedules throughout development and production</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Evaluate and select manufacturing equipment for specialty processes (impeller machining, rotating-assembly balancing, leak/flow test)</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Partner with production to develop work instructions, in-process checkouts, and end-of-line tests</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

</ul>

<p><strong><span data-contrast="none">Qualifications</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>

<ul>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="none">8+ years of experience with mechanical and/or electromechanical design and analysis </span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="none">2+ years of experience design and analysis of turbomachinery in harsh environments</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Experience with CAD or FEA software packages</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

</ul>

<p><strong><span data-contrast="none">Nice to Have</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>

<ul>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Experience designing, building, and testing centrifugal or axial pumps for closed-loop thermal systems, including impeller geometry, volute/diffuser design, and hydraulic performance prediction</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Experience with NASA-STD-5017, SMC-S-016, and GSFC-STD-7000 for the design and qualification of in-space Moving Mechanism Assemblies</span><span data-contrast="none"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Experience with bearing analysis, preload techniques, and preload measurement</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Experience with the practical application of GD&T</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Demonstrate</span><span data-contrast="none">d ability to own moving mechanism assemblies across the full product lifecycle in a high velocity environment</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems in space environments and operations</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="none">Independent and self-motivated mindset, with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills across disciplines</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

</ul>

<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Compensation and Benefits:</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>

<ul>

<li><span data-contrast="auto">Base salary range for this role is $175,000 - $200,000 + equity in the company</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="auto">Salary and level will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>

<li><span data-contrast="auto">Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>

</ul><div class="content-conclusion"><p>If you don’t meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we enco