Principal Solar Design Engineer

The Role

Critical to achieving K2's vision of deploying at scale across MEO, GEO, cis-lunar, and deep space are the solar arrays. Scaling to constellations requires someone who can span technical domains from module technology and electrical power system interactions to soft goods, deployment mechanisms, structures, integration, and high-rate production.

You will define how K2 develops, designs, manufactures, tests, and deploys high-power solar arrays at production scale. The development timelines, operating environments, mission lifetimes, and cost targets we are pursuing demand meaningful innovation. You will have the resources and full support of K2 to make this possible and help raise the bar for the next generation of space technology companies.

Responsibilities

Delivery of the solar array electrical and mechanical architecture, system design, and lifecycle performance margins.

Development of the electrical system performance degradation characterization and modelling across environment variations

Definition and execution of assembly level acceptance and qualification testing.

Collaborate with avionics, structures/mechanisms, software, and production teams to define solar system requirements, integrated system qualification/acceptance testing, and on-orbit operations/data review

Lead design reviews, continually own system deliverables, and drive development schedules with accurate projections looking 12+ months ahead in development timeline

Collaborate with leadership on staffing plans, role definitions, and recruiting efforts to ensure the solar array team is appropriately staffed to meet system deliverables

Responsible for the evaluation and selection of manufacturing equipment for specialty processes

Partner with production to develop work instructions, in-process checkouts, and end-of-line tests that ensure successful builds

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in physics, materials science, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field

8+ years of experience in the design, manufacture, and test of solar arrays for space applications

Nice to Have

Experience architecting solar array systems for space applications; including initial requirement definition, development testing, design, manufacturing, qualification, and analysis of flight data.

Background working on multiple solar array systems with variations in cell, module, and system architecture technologies for high-power long-life space applications.

Experience with AIAA S111/S112, SMC-S-016, NASA-STD-5017, and NASA-STD-4005 for the design and qualification of solar modules, moving mechanism assemblies, and spacecraft charging effects.

Experience designing solar arrays for resilience to exposure to radiation environments.

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

Demonstrated understanding of high voltage solar array degradation analysis and failure modes.

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