Propulsion Test Engineer

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by $450M from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others – with an additional $500M 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. 

We're a team that believes the future lies in building large, high-powered satellites that can handle multiple orbits. With multiple launches planned through 2026 and 2027, we're Building Bigger 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 C space startup, we’d love for you to apply. 

The Role 

You will own the successful implementation of Hall thruster development and production tests for both R&D and production. In your first 6 months, you will develop diagnostics and testing instrumentation for propulsion systems, vacuum systems, and test equipment. In your first year, you will validate flight hardware using your proven diagnostic tools, participate in multidisciplinary test campaigns, and play a critical role in qualifying the highest-powered Hall thruster system ever to fly in space. In your first two years, you will take on larger propulsion test campaigns and ownership while directly supporting production and qualification testing. 

Responsibilities 

• Setup, commission, and maintain state-of-the-art vacuum chambers, test stands, and data acquisition systems for Hall thruster propulsion systems 
• Perform tests on a novel 20 kW Hall thruster, feed systems, power electronics, and hardware-in-the-loop electrical systems 
• Develop testing and control scripts to conduct safe and reliable test campaigns of Hall thruster propulsion systems and components 
• Create formal documentation for development and production: test procedures, test reports, standard operating procedures 
• Troubleshoot electrical and mechanical test setups and hardware 
• Document, compile, analyze, and present test data 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical, or other relevant engineering discipline 
• +2 years of hands-on electric propulsion system test experience 
• Strong background in electronic test equipment and principles of electric circuits 
• Good understanding and application of standard principles, theories, concepts and techniques in electric propulsion 
• Strong background in scripting and programming languages, specifically Python 
• Experience developing and maintaining thrust stands and plasma diagnostics 
• Experience developing and operating vacuum chambers including operating support equipment such pumps, RGAs, and leak detectors 
• Experience in test equipment build-up and test operations 
• Demonstrated proficiency with CAD software and ability to learn new software tools 

Nice to Have 

• Experience with testing Hall thrusters 
• Experience with Design of Experiments (DOE) 
• Experience designing, writing, executing, and documenting flight hardware test campaigns 
• Experience with finite element analysis for electromagnetic fields and/or fluid flow 
• Experience with Siemens NX/Teamcenter, fluid schematics, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance (GD&T) 

Compensation and Benefits: 

• Base salary range for this role is $90,000 - $135,000 + 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.