Vehicle Operations Engineering Intern – Summer 2026

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 ($200M 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 

We’re looking for a stellar Vehicle Operations Engineering Intern to join our team for a 3 month internship. You’ll join the team responsible for building, testing, and flying the vehicle, working with Design and Responsible Engineers to develop manufacturing methods, tooling, and build flows for spacecraft components, as well as support the integration and test of K2’s Mega class satellite systems. In this role you’ll gain hands-on experience developing and testing manufacturing techniques for large satellite structures, mechanisms, and integrated electronics; designing ground support equipment; expanding HITL tables; and executing test campaigns. This role offers broad exposure across subsystems, opportunities to improve manufacturability, efficiency, and reliability, and the chance to own impactful projects in K2’s highly collaborative environment.  

Responsibilities 

• Support HITL table maintenance and operations 

• Develop test procedures used to confirm spacecraft hardware and software flightworthiness 

• Investigate and troubleshoot vehicle issues and driver further actions to reduce future failures 

• Design, build, and rollout ground support equipment to enable new test components and capabilities   

• Develop innovative manufacturing systems for large spacecraft assemblies, including welded/bolted structures, mechanisms, and electrical subassemblies 

• Create custom tools and processes that integrate with our Manufacturing Execution System to support the manufacturing technologies you create 

• Demonstrate the advanced manufacturing techniques on prototypes, working with the design teams to iterate on the manufacturability of those parts 

• Develop the subassembly build flow and implementing on the production flow for the satellite 

• Get hands-on to build and integrate flight parts using your tooling 

• Partner with a team of advanced manufacturing engineers to perform R&D of novel manufacturing technologies for current and future spacecraft products 

Qualifications 

• Must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in mechanical, electrical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline 

• 6+ months experience of technical engineering skills outside of the university setting classroom (eg: laboratory, research, extracurricular project teams, volunteering, personal projects or prior internship/work experience) 

Additional Requirements 

• Available for a minimum 12-week internship in person at our HQ in Torrance 

Nice to Have 

• Ability to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment, including frequent interactions with technicians, engineers, and managers 

• Experience testing and troubleshooting spacecraft and their related components and systems, including subsystem checkouts and system acceptance testing 

• Hands-on experience using electrical test equipment (PSU, Oscilloscope, DMM, etc.) 

• Experience working in a clean room and with ESD-sensitive equipment  

• Experience or exposure in a test or automation role  

• Experience in Python and/or Rust  

• Experience with Linux systems 

• Experience setting up a manufacturing/production floor for first article builds 

• Experience designing and implementing technologies for avionics subassembly manufacturing including wire harness manufacturing and PCBA/mechanical enclosure assembly 

• Experience designing tooling for mechanical subassemblies 

• Experience designing hardware for manufacturability 

• Experience with aerospace manufacturing standards such as torque specifications, welding standards, and quality assurance standards 

• Experience working in a high volume, rapid production environment 

• Experience working with MES to set up foundation for procedure creation and non conformance tracking 

Compensation 

• Hourly pay range for this non-exempt role is $30 - $40 per hour  

• Hourly rate will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level 

• Housing and travel stipend may also be available 

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.