K2 Space Manage and lead the machining, fabrication, precision inspection, and spacecraft paint teams at K2 Space. Oversee shop performance, safety, and day-to-day operations at the new hardware development and manufacturing facility.
Responsibilities
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who has run a fast-moving shop and wants to scale the next one. As Manager, Machining and Fabrication you’ll lead the machine shop, development fabrication shop, precision inspection (CMM), and spacecraft paint teams. These teams deliver K2’s flight parts, prototype hardware, tooling, fixtures, and GSE on timelines too tight to wait on outside suppliers. When a design changes overnight or a test campaign needs a fixture tomorrow, your team makes it happen.
You’ll serve as site production leader for our new K2 hardware development and manufacturing facility, accountable for safety, facilities coordination, and day-to-day operations. You’ll own shop performance end to end and make the calls on equipment, staffing, layout, and what we build in-house. As we scale from development spacecraft to high-rate production, you’ll build the shop, team, and systems needed to keep up.
Manage and develop a talented team of specialized work centers including machine shop, development fabrication shop, precision inspection (CMM), and spacecraft paint
Ensure a strong sense of safety, quality, and turn time is communicated and upheld by all members of your team
Manage the schedule and delivery of precision machined parts, welded assemblies, prototype hardware, tooling, fixtures, and GSE for development, production, and test
Set daily priorities for the team, adjusting quickly and effectively when engineering needs change
Identify and remove constraints that block hardware delivery, whether they’re equipment, resources, material, or process
Drive capability expansion, including equipment selection, capital investment, new processes, and make vs. buy decisions
Support the buildout of new manufacturing and development areas, including layout, infrastructure, and equipment installation in partnership with Engineering, Production, and Facilities
Establish metrics for throughput, schedule adherence, utilization, equipment readiness, and quality to drive continuous improvement
Serve as site lead for the building, coordinating with Facilities, Design Engineering, and Test on shared resources and operational readiness
Qualification
Hands-on experience with CNC machiningExperience with MES/ERP systemsBackground in capacity modeling
Required
4+ years of direct people leadership in a fast-paced machining or fabrication environment
8+ years of hands-on experience in machining, fabrication, or precision manufacturing in a high volume, rapid environment in aerospace, defense, or complex hardware manufacturing industries
Demonstrated experience leading multiple work centers in a high-mix, low-volume development or quick-turn environment
Preferred
Demonstrated success leading from the floor in a fast-moving manufacturing environment
Hands-on experience with CNC machining, fabrication processes, and interpreting engineering drawings, including GD&T
Experience with CMM and dimensional inspection
Working knowledge of AS9100 quality systems, NCRs, and FAI (AS9102)
Experience with MES/ERP systems
Background in capacity modeling, shop layout, and capital equipment justification
Track record of making fast decisions with incomplete information and owning the outcome
Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills
