Operations 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. 

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 

The Business Operations team ensures programs execute at K2 Space. Our team drives strategic planning, production optimization, and resource alignment across engineering and manufacturing. We hire engineers who can lead cross-functional initiatives, analyze operational problems, and apply operations and data science methods to optimize schedules, resources, and outcomes as the company scales. The ideal candidate is a self-starter, complex problem solver, and drives strategic decision-making. 

Responsibilities 

• Design analytical tools to evaluate delivery timelines, production capacity, manufacturing processes, and supply chain constraints, to support informed decision-making 
• Lead the development and execution of production schedules and output targets across programs 
• Partner closely with engineering and manufacturing teams on a daily basis to ensure alignment with validated milestone plans 
• Contribute to team efforts to shape and execute strategies that reduce production and launch risks while capturing opportunities to enhance quality, throughput, safety, and cost performance 
• Create process flow models that simulate production system behavior and align manufacturing output with program requirements 
• Develop a deep understanding of our engineering, manufacturing, and launch operations to improve production forecasting, identify process improvements, and proactively monitor engineering data inputs 
• Establish and monitor key performance metrics while identifying decision down-select points and actions required to optimize production v demand 
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across systems and operational processes within and between functional organizations 
• Work collaboratively with partners across supply chain, engineering, and finance to maintain program alignment 
• Develop analytical models and visual dashboards to support strategic space planning and operational decision-making 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or business discipline 
• 2+ years of experience in a fast-paced production or start up environment 
• 1+ years of experience in using Excel, SQL, or Python/R for analysis or modeling dynamic systems 
• 1+ years of experience using Smartsheet or equivalent scheduling tools, and/or experience tracking critical path 

Nice to have 

• Experience with Inventory, production, and capacity planning, including use of MRP/ERP systems 
• Power BI and discrete-event simulation or modeling tools 
• Quantitative analysis: statistics, data analysis, cost–benefit evaluation, and visualization 
• Industrial, operations, process, or manufacturing engineering in a development-stage production environment 
• Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies 
• Background in management science, operations engineering, or industrial engineering 
• Effective contributor within multidisciplinary, cross-functional teams 
• Ability to operate in fast-paced, high-pressure environments 
• Clear and concise written and verbal communication 

Additional Requirements 

• Ability to travel up to 25-50% of the time 
• Active Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance preferred; willing to pursue and maintain a clearance if not already cleared  
• Ability to work irregular business hours to support proposals or critical project timelines 

Compensation and Benefits: 

• Base salary range for this role is $90,000 – $140,000 + 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.