Mission Systems Engineer (TS/SCI)

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 

As a Mission Systems Engineer within National Security Programs, you’ll serve as the primary technical interface between K2 Space, customers, and partners as we develop and shape mission architectures for future and ongoing opportunities to host advanced payload capabilities onto K2’s satellite bus platform. You’ll primarily support mission level engineering for early technical engagement, requirements formulation and negotiation, concept and architecture studies, payload to bus compatibility, proposal phase activities, and program execution.  

In this role, you will work closely with Program Managers and key engineering disciplines to define and architect missions (mechanical, software, power, avionics, etc.) and ensure alignment to K2 Space’s technology and capabilities. You will also represent K2 Space in critical customer engagements, study reviews, and technical negotiations. 

The ideal candidate has strong multi-disciplinary engineering skills, hands-on experience, and excellent communication abilities to effectively collaborate with National Security customers and stakeholders.      

Responsibilities 

• Define, mature and negotiate mission concepts.  Support initial payload integration studies, mission analysis, system architecture trades, system integration designs, and concept of operations development.  

• Develop and maintain technical documentation for system architecture, payload interface designs, spacecraft design capabilities and requirements, and concepts of operations to ensure customer requirements and architectures align with K2 Space’s technology offerings.  

• Serve as the primary technical interface for early customer engagement.  Lead technical discussions, represent K2 Space in TEMs and study reviews, ensure customer requirements are understood, and ensure customer understands the extent of K2 Space’s capabilities.  

• Coordinate cross-functional early study efforts.  Work closely with vehicle engineering, avionics, software, propulsion, thermal, and AI&T teams to ensure solutions are practical and executable.  

 Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline. 

• 5+ Years of experience working in the aerospace or space industry, working with spacecraft or space systems  

• Direct experience designing, developing, integrating or testing spacecraft or space systems.  

• Strong understanding of spacecraft subsystems, space system architectures, and mission modeling and simulation.  

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills 

 Nice to Have 

• Master’s degree or above in an engineering discipline. 

• 10+ Years of experience working in the aerospace or space industry, working with spacecraft, launch vehicles, airborne systems, or payloads 

• Experience working directly with National Security customers and systems  

• Satellite constellation modeling, simulation and analysis experience and intuitive understanding of multibody dynamics   

• Payload performance modeling and analysis (Electro Optical, Radio Frequency, Infrared, Communications, Networking, Position Navigation and timing etc) 

• Deep understanding of national security enterprise ground systems and architectures including command and control, networking, tasking, planning, scheduling, processing, dissemination, and tracking software architectures 

• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time 

 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.

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.