EH&S Manager

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

K2 Space is building the largest, highest-power satellites ever flown, and we’re hiring our first EH&S Leader to build the safety program from the ground up. You’ll design and lead EH&S strategy, compliance, and day-to-day execution across our manufacturing floor, cleanrooms, and labs. Reporting to the VP of Manufacturing, you’ll partner closely with Manufacturing, Facilities, and Engineering leadership to build safety programs that keep pace with a fast-growing hardware company. We’re scaling from early production to building satellites at rate, and the EH&S programs we need tomorrow don’t exist yet. You’ll build the safety program that protects our people and enables us to scale.

Responsibilities

• Build and own K2's EH&S program end-to-end (policies, procedures, training, and governance) tailored to a high-growth satellite manufacturing environment
• Ensure compliance with OSHA/Cal-OSHA, EPA, and California DTSC hazardous materials and hazardous waste regulations, including IIPP, Title 8, and Title 22 requirements
• Lead industrial hygiene and exposure monitoring programs for manufacturing processes involving chemicals, composites, coatings, and other hazardous materials`
• Own cleanroom, lab, and shop floor safety programs, including PPE standards, machine guarding, lockout/tagout, and confined space procedures
• Manage hazardous materials and hazardous waste handling, storage, labeling, and disposal, including permits and regulatory reporting (Hazmat Business Plan, SB 553 workplace violence prevention plan, etc.)
• Lead incident investigation, root cause analysis, and corrective action tracking for injuries, near-misses, and environmental incidents
• Own workers' compensation case management in partnership with the People team and insurance carriers
• Design and deliver EH&S training for new hires and existing staff across engineering, manufacturing, and lab environments
• Build emergency preparedness and response plans (fire, chemical spill, medical emergency, evacuation) for a growing facility footprint
• Define and implement systems to ensure accuracy and completion of EHS tasks across K2; track and report EHS metrics (TRIR, near-miss rates, training completion) to leadership
• Serve as primary point of contact for EH&S regulatory inspections and audits (Cal/OSHA, fire marshal, local environmental agencies)
• Partner with Facilities on ergonomic assessments, ventilation, and safety infrastructure as the company scales

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in occupational health and safety, environmental science, industrial hygiene, engineering, or a related field (or equivalent hands-on experience)
• 7+ years of EH&S experience in a manufacturing, industrial, or aerospace/hardware environment, including 2+ years building or leading an EH&S function
• Deep working knowledge of Cal/OSHA, federal OSHA, and California hazardous materials/waste regulations
• Direct experience with hazardous materials handling, industrial hygiene, and chemical safety programs
• Experience leading incident investigations and managing corrective action programs
• Comfortable operating hands-on on a manufacturing floor, not just from a desk
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to train and influence engineers and technicians at all levels

Nice to Have

• Experience standing up an EH&S program at a startup or fast-scaling company
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or similar certification
• Experience in aerospace, defense, semiconductor, or cleanroom manufacturing environments
• Familiarity with ISO 45001 or similar EH&S management system frameworks

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary range for this role is $125,000 - $170,000 + equity in the company
• 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.