Manager, Build Reliability

Manager, Build Reliability

Los Angeles, CA

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 the Build Reliability Manager, you will lead the day-to-day execution of quality and reliability efforts across K2 Space's production programs. You will manage and grow a team of Build Reliability Engineers, Quality Inspectors, and Supplier Quality Engineers, ensuring that quality is embedded into every stage of the build progress, from receiving inspection through vehicle handoff. You will drive the department and continuous improvement of quality processes, corrective action workflows, and supplier quality programs that enable K2 Space to scale from prototype satellites to full-rate production. Your work will directly shape how K2 Space builds spacecraft, establishing the repeatable, high-reliability manufacturing practices that will underpin the next generation of Commercial, National Security, and Science missions spanning LEO, MEO, GEO, Cislunar, and Deep Space.

Responsibilities

• Grow the production focused Reliability team hire and develop talented quality personnel spanning Build Reliability Engineers, Quality Inspectors, Supplier Quality Engineers, and related disciplines.
• Develop and continuously improve quality processes for the company, including non-conformance processes, supplier quality evaluation processes, and process control processes such as PFMEAs.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and engineering teams through the product lifecycle to create quality plans that support each phase of the build from receiving inspection through vehicle handoff at the launch site
• Design quality plans that support lean manufacturing and test, enabling rapid production without sacrificing quality
• Investigate failures, drive corrective actions, and lead containment efforts that reduce risk and improve reliability across production; feed lessons learned back into the design for future component iterations and increase the repeatability of simple, robust flight unit builds
• Work with engineering teams to define and implement change control into the design and build workflow
• Manage quality processes for suppliers, interfacing with them regularly to analyze quality metrics and drive corrective actions when process escapes arise
• Establish and report on key quality metrics and dashboards to provide leadership visibility into production reliability trends

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, mathematics, or other relevant engineering discipline
• 4+ years of experience leading and/or managing large teams on technically complex projects throughout the development and build process
• 6+ years of experience in a high volume, rapid production environment in a manufacturing, integration, quality and/or design engineering role
• Deep production and hardware manufacturing experience, including manufacturing of machined parts, mechanisms, electrical assemblies, Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBAs), and harnessing
• Experience managing vendors, suppliers, and strategic technical partners

Nice to Have

• 6+ years of experience leading and/or managing large teams on technically complex projects throughout the development and build process
• Experience with quality inspection techniques such as NDE/NDT methods and associated equipment
• Experience developing non-conformance documentation systems and processes, corrective action systems, and generating/evaluating key quality metrics across all stages of manufacturing
• Experience leading organizations through the AS9100D compliance process, including initial evaluation and recurring audits
• Experience developing PFMEAs for complex processes and leveraging them for continuous improvement initiatives
• Experience with high-volume manufacturing of complex assemblies
• Experience with solar module lines, battery manufacturing lines, and cleanroom production environments
• Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills
• Active Top Secret Clearance or an active DoD Secret clearance with SAP clearance eligibility

Compensation and Benefits:

• 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.