Principal Launch Mission Manager

Job Description Job Description K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, ICONIQ, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and T. Rowe Price — and with over $1 billion 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 in 2027 and plans to scale to 100 satellites a year, we're Building Bigger — helping develop the solar system and build toward 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 high-growth Series D-funded company, we'd love for you to apply. The Role K2 has a large set of customer and launch partners, ranging from rideshare hosted payloads to full constellation scale roll out, spanning multiple launch vehicles, procurement methods,licensing methods,and launch sites. We are looking for exceptionalindividuals to supportall ofthese customer and launch partner interfaces. As alaunchmissionmanager, you will be hands-on supporting payload, vehicle, and launch integration certification,verification, and executionactions. You'llown certification across multiple threads, also working closely withour internal design reliability, program managers, and leadership team.You'llbe an advocate for K2 and our customer pushing for simplification of process, implementation of lessons learned, andstate of the artcertification methods to enable our constellation level roll outs.You'llwork with our legal teams to enableappropriate licensingand insurance closure.You'llwork with our engineering teams tofeed backbest-practices and lessons learned from integrated spacecraft testing tooptimizefuture payload missions.You'llwork with all teams to help ensuresuccessfulspaceflight outcomes. In this positionyou'llbe the voice of K2 in multiple forums and efforts – ultimatelybeing responsible forensuring there are nocertification,verification, orexecutionshow-stopperson day of payload integration, spacecraft testing, orlaunch. Responsibilities Function as K2 point of contact for all things related to certification, to include range safety compliance, launch vehicle user guide compliance, ground operations plan, payload certification plan, customer to launch provider interactions, and qualification reports Serve as launch provider point of contact, helping ensure launch vehicle ICDs are closed and verified, launch operations plan is robust, and the mission executes flawlessly Serve as payload provider point of contact in certification forums, ensuring payload meets all applicable requirements from both K2 and the launch provider Support payload integration readiness reviews, pre-ship reviews, launch and flight readiness reviews, in various capacities Review and help shape future customer and launch vehicle contracts and SOWs Shape our certification process forall ofthe above, helpingcome up withnew methods for K2 to increase velocity Qualifications Bachelor's degree inengineering, physics, or science 8+ years of experience in technical aerospace or manufacturing 2+ years of experience managing projects, technical trades, and/or technical teams Exceptional understanding of launch vehicles, spacecraft, or other aerospace systems and their certification and/or verification processes Exceptional written and verbal communication skills Nice to Have Master's degree or PhD in an engineering or science discipline 10+ years of experience in technical aerospace or manufacturing Active Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance Experience leading Spacecraftqualification,verification, or certification effortsfor single or constellation level projects Experience working with payload or launch provider contracts and SOWs Proven ability to innovate in process improvement andlessons learned processes Skilled in generating executive summaries to drive decision making through senior leadership discussions Demonstratedtrack recordof project ownership, responsibility for execution, and successful outcomes Ability to travel up to 25% of the time Compensation and Benefits Base salary range for this role is $175,000 - $200,000 + equity in the company Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limitedto: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 otherperks 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 by22 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.