Avionics Systems/Test 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 Avionics Systems/Test Engineering Intern to join our team for a 3 month internship. Working closely with our engineers, you will be responsible for system design, analysis, testing and integration of avionics on some of the largest, most powerful, rapidly designed and manufactured satellites. You will work hands-on with novel avionics interfacing, harnessing, instrumentation, RF components, and GNC actuators used across the satellite, while getting exposure to other subsystems within the engineering organization. K2 Space is a highly collaborative environment, and our interns will be encouraged to work with mentors and other team members to execute complex projects. 

Responsibilities 

• Serve as Responsible Engineer for avionics system design, performance, hardware, and test across the satellite bus 

• Collaborate closely within the cross functional Engineering teams to capture requirements, lead design trades, build avionics test systems, and integrate flight hardware into the spacecraft  

• Create and update technical documentation including system and test asset diagrams, schematics, interface control documents, procedures, and test/anomaly reports 

• Design, build, and program automated test stands for avionics hardware 

• Execute avionics component and system testing on flight hardware through development, acceptance, qualification, and integration testing 

• Support spacecraft integration testing, production issue dispositions, troubleshooting failures, and managing overall spacecraft risk 

• Design, develop and build avionics production infrastructure 

• Write modular and reusable test, analysis, and automation software in Python and Rust 

• Effectively manage and communicate project plan, milestones, and schedule execution 

Qualifications 

• Must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in electrical or computer engineering  

• 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 

• Hands-on experience with environmental testing for space electronics and harnessing such as thermal, thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, radiation, and EMI/EMC testing per SMC-S-016 

• Competence with electrical test equipment (power supplies, multimeters, oscilloscopes, network analyzers, etc.) 

• Experience with high-voltage electrical systems 

• Experience with NX or similar CAD software  

• Experience in PCB schematic capture and board layout, ideally using Altium or similar software 

• Experience with Linux, Bash, C++ 

• Experience with networking systems and associated testing tools: TCP/UDP, IP, VLANs, iperf, tcpdump  

• Experience with vehicle level testing including writing test procedures, creating robust and efficient test sequencing, and analytical data review to evaluate hardware health  

Compensation and Benefits: 

• 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.