Principal Avionics Systems Engineer

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 $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

You will be the Responsible Engineer for system design, analysis, testing and integration of Avionics with specialized focus on spacecraft charging, radiation, EMI, and/or RF. You will have the unique opportunity to partner with a cross functional team of engineers to make impactful architecture trades, design new spacecraft hardware, and characterize the overall Avionics System performance on some of the largest, most powerful satellites. You will help establish production test infrastructure and qualify the spacecraft for the demanding environments of MEO and GEO. In your first two years, you will have qualified hardware for flight, completed Avionics integration on the satellite bus, and flown your first spacecraft.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Responsible Engineer for Avionics system design, performance, and hardware across the computing, power system, instrumentation, RF components, GNC sensors, and harnessing on the satellite bus
• Collaborate closely within the cross functional Engineering teams to capture requirements, lead design trades, and integrate the design into the spacecraft systems
• Create and update technical documentation including system diagrams, schematics, interface control documents, procedures, test/anomaly reports
• 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, reusable test, analysis, and automation software in Python and Rust
• Effectively manage and communicate project plan, milestones, and schedule execution

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering or any equivalent combination of education and experience
• 8+ years of experience in the architectural design, development, test, and integration of space-grade avionics systems
• Experience programmatically interfacing with hardware test automation and data analysis tasks
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and high velocity start-up atmosphere
• Creative problem solver that can assess risk and make collaborative design and development decisions

Nice to Have

• 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
• Expertise with vehicle grounding architecture, spacecraft charging, EMI, and/or RF testing and compatibility
• Competence with electrical test equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes, network analyzers, etc.)
• Strong presentation experience in highly technical design forums and reviews (Preliminary Design Reviews, Critical Design Reviews, Flight Readiness Reviews, etc.)
• Proficient with NX or similar CAD software including electrical harness routing
• Expertise in PCB schematic capture and board layout, ideally using Altium or similar software
• Experience with Linux, Bash, C++, MODBUS
• Experience with vehicle level testing including writing test procedures, creating robust and efficient test sequencing, and analytical data review to evaluate hardware health
• Familiarity with vehicle power analysis, flight software state machine structures, and communication systems

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base salary range for this role is $180,000 - $240,000 + 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.