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Avionics Test Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

K2 Space is building large, high-powered spacecraft for the next generation of space development. Backed by Lightspeed Venture Partners, Altimeter Capital, and many others ($180M raised to date), we intend to mass produce the highest-powered satellite platforms ever built for missions across LEO to Deep Space. 

The rise of launch vehicles like Falcon 9 and Starship enables the move from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance. We believe this new era requires spacecraft with a fundamentally different design in order to fully utilize the massive rockets coming to market.  

We’re a team that believes the future lies in building large, high-powered satellites that can handle multiple orbits. This is a necessity if we ever want 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 B space startup, we’d love for you to apply. 

The Role 

You will own the success of Avionics testing involving the computing, data acquisition, RF, and power subsystems that are key to our satellite operation. In your first 6 months, you will be pivotal in developing production quality test hardware and software to deliver flight avionics through ATP and QTP for the first Mega satellite integration. You will be working alongside the Electrical Engineering team to interface with Avionics hardware, validate prototype designs, define test requirements, and design test infrastructure to meet critical programmatic milestones such as delivery of flight hardware to vehicle integration. In your first year, you will lead multidisciplinary test campaigns, root cause investigations, and production improvements to ensure reliability and scalability. 

Responsibilities 

  • Design and fabricate test hardware, harnessing, and test systems to support electrical development testing 
  • Develop modular, reusable test automation software and drivers in Linux, Python, C++, Rust, etc. 
  • Execute development and production tests to meet internal and external customer needs 
  • Lead satellite subsystem test campaigns from kickoff, through test report, and beyond 
  • Develop data acquisition, control, and instrumentation systems to test at the integrated level 
  • Own the project management of multiple test assets and acceptance testing of flight avionics including upgrades to support hardware lifecycle 
  • Design device simulators deployed across component subsystem and HITL testbeds  
  • Collaborate with a cross-functional team to establish product requirements, testing methods, and project test schedules 

Qualifications 

  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical, computer, or other relevant engineering discipline or any equivalent combination of education and experience 
  • 2+ years of experience with test hardware design and software management  
  • Strong programming abilities (Python, C++, Rust) 
  • Experience designing, building, and testing electrical assemblies and test fixtures 

Nice to Have 

  • Experience with data acquisition, controls, and dedicated test equipment 
  • Familiarity with SMC-S-016 or MIL-STD-810 testing methods, including vibration, shock, and thermal testing 
  • Familiarity with RF Systems testing, including software defined radios (SDR), antenna characterization and insertion loss testing 
  • Experience with the practical application of serial and ethernet communications 
  • Understanding of the failure modes of electrical systems in space environments 
  • Demonstrated ability to own electrical hardware test systems within an integrated engineering team 
  • Creative problem solver that can balance schedule, resource, and technical constraints 

Compensation and Benefits: 

  • Base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $150,000 + 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 unlimited 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.

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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.

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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.

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