The Roleย
You'llย be at the heart of bringing flight hardware to life.ย You willย ownย Surface Mount Technology (SMT) equipmentย and processes,ย working closely withย production teamsย to supportย development and production of the K2 Mega-class satellite.ย You will shape build processes and solve hands-on manufacturing challenges in realย time,ย and your work will directlyย impactย the performance and reliability of hardware destined for space.ย ย ย
This role is built for someone who learns quickly, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and wants to take ownership early.ย You'llย develop deep technical intuition, contribute to systems that scale, and grow into increasingly complex challenges as we push towards higher-rate production in an environment unlike anywhere else.ย
Responsibilitiesย
- Develop, support, and continuously improve SMT assembly equipment and processes, including but not limitedย to:ย pick-and-place machines, reflow ovens, solder paste printers, solder paste inspection (SPI), automated optical inspection (AOI), X-ray, conformal coating systems, epoxy/adhesive dispensers, and lamination equipmentย
- Develop andย optimizeย reflow profiles, stencil designs, and solder paste processes to achieve highย first-passย yield on complex, high-reliability assembliesย
- Program,ย operate, and troubleshoot automated SMT equipment, including placement programs, feeder setups, and vision/inspection systemsย
- Work closely with Quality and Production teams toย maintainย build cadence and ensure hardware meets acceptance criteria.ย
- Create andย maintainย work instructions, assembly procedures, and process documentation, and capture as-built records and traceability through the MESย
- Develop inspection criteria and methods forย assemblies forย non-conformances.ย
- Developย functional testsย of components and assembliesย
- Monitor process performance (yield, defect trends, SPC) and provide consistent process improvement feedback to engineering and production leadershipย
- Support tooling inspection, maintenance, and readiness activities for solar manufacturing operationsย
Qualificationsย
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace,ย materialsย or other relevant engineering disciplineย ย
- 2+ years of experience in a high-volume manufacturing, production, or hands-on engineering environmentย ย
- Strong hands-on aptitude and willingness to work directly with hardware on the production floorย ย
- Exposure to precision assembly or electromechanical integration processesย ย
- Ability to read engineering drawings, schematics, and technical documentationย ย
- Experience setting up a manufacturing/production floor for first article buildsย ย
Nice to Haveย
- Hand soldering ability and PCB rework experienceย
- Ability to read, review, and redline electrical schematics and mechanical drawingsย
- Experience performing crimping, wire stripping, continuity testingย
- Experience using test and measuring tools (digital multimeter, oscilloscopes, calipers)ย
- Experience with various potting and epoxiesย
- Strong communicationย skills with ability to communicate hardware and systems problemsย
Additional Requirementsย
- Must be able to stand for extended periods of timeย ย
- Must be able to lift and carry parts or equipment up toย 50ย lbs.ย Unassistedย
Compensation and Benefits:ย
- Base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $140,000 + equity in the companyย ย
- Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limitedย to:ย knowledge and skills, education, and experience levelย ย
- Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/ coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many otherย perksย ย