Quality Inspector, CMM

K2 Space
Los Angeles, CA

Who this role is best for

Best suited to candidates with aerospace or precision machining experience working in a high-growth satellite manufacturing environment.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with aerospace or precision machining experience and a track record of working on complex engineering projects
    — “dimensional inspection of complex machined and fabricated aerospace hardware”
  • Individuals who have established inspection programs and optimized processes in prior roles
    — “develop, execute, and improve CMM inspection programs”
  • Professionals with strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate inspection findings across multiple teams
    — “analyze dimensional inspection results and clearly communicate findings to Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, Production, and suppliers”

Things to consider

  • The role may involve physically demanding tasks such as lifting 50 lbs unassisted and working in tight spaces
    — “Must be able to lift and carry parts or equipment up to 50 lbs. unassisted”
  • Candidates must be U.S. persons or have a federal export control license due to ITAR compliance
    — “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”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with GD&T and ASME Y14.5 in your resume and interview responses
    — “Strong understanding of GD&T and ASME Y14.5”
  • Emphasize your ability to interpret complex engineering drawings and develop inspection strategies
    — “Ability to independently interpret complex engineering drawings”
  • Showcase your experience with CMM programming and metrology software like Polyworks or Calypso
    — “Experience programming CMMs using Polyworks, Calypso, PC-DMIs, or similar software”
  • Demonstrate your ability to train others and contribute to team-building processes
    — “Train other inspectors and technicians on dimensional inspection methods”
  • Include examples of how you have improved supplier performance through inspection data analysis
    — “use inspection data to improve supplier performance and optimize K2’s receiving inspection process”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • established internal dimensional inspection capability
  • improved supplier performance
Typical background
5+ years of dimensional inspection or metrology experience in aerospace, precision machining, or similar manufacturing

Skills & requirements

Required

Dimensional InspectionCMM InspectionGD&TMetrologyQuality Control

Preferred

Laser TrackerInspection Program DevelopmentSupplier Evaluation

Stack & domain

CMM InspectionGD&TASME Y14.5Dimensional InspectionMetrologyLaser TrackerPortable Metrology EquipmentMachine Shop Process DevelopmentInspection Equipment MaintenanceTrainingAerospaceSatellite Manufacturing

About the role

Original posting from K2 Space via Greenhouse

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.

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 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.

The Role 

As a Quality Inspector, CMM you will be responsible for dimensional inspection and metrology of precision aerospace hardware supporting satellite manufacturing and integration. You will own complex dimensional inspection using CMMs and other metrology equipment and work closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, Supply Chain, Production, and suppliers to ensure hardware meets engineering requirements.  

This role will also help establish K2’s internal dimensional inspection capability, evaluate supplier inspection capability, and use inspection data to improve supplier performance and optimize K2’s receiving inspection process  

Responsibilities 

Perform dimensional inspection of complex machined and fabricated aerospace hardware using a CMM and conventional inspection equipment  

Develop, execute, and improve CMM inspection programs  

Interpret engineering drawings and GD&T requirements to establish appropriate inspection strategies  

Perform first article, receiving, in-process, and final dimensional inspections 

Support inspection of large structures and assemblies using laser tracker or other portable metrology equipment  

Analyze dimensional inspection results and clearly communicate findings to Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, Production, and suppliers  

Support machine shop process development through dimensional feedback  

Partner with Supply Chain and Quality Engineering to evaluate supplier inspection capability and performance  

Review supplier FAIRs and dimensional inspection reports and help determine when incoming inspection can be reduced based on demonstrated supplier performance  

Maintain inspection equipment, programs, records, and calibration status 

Train other inspectors and technicians on dimensional inspection methods  

Qualifications 

5+ years of dimensional inspection or metrology experience in aerospace, precision machining, or similar manufacturing  

Strong CMM inspection experience  

Strong understanding of GD&T and ASME Y14.5 

Experience inspecting tight-tolerance machined components  

Ability to independently interpret complex engineering drawings  

Proficiency with precision measuring equipment  

Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills  

Nice to Have 

Experience programming CMMs using Polyworks, Calypso, PC-DMIs, or similar software 

Laser tracker experience  

AS9102 FAIR experience  

Experience with large aerospace structures  

Experience supporting supplier qualification or source inspection  

Additional Requirements 

Willing to work overtime and weekends as needed 

Must be able to stoop, bend, crawl, and maneuver in tight spaces 

Must be able to lift and carry parts or equipment up to 50 lbs. unassisted 

Compensation and Benefits: 

Hourly pay range for this non-exempt role is $33 - $48 + equity in the company 

Compensation 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.

Source: K2 Space careers (Greenhouse)

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