Senior Validation 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 – were 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 todays and tomorrows massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.

With multiple launches planned through 2026 and 2027, were 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 youre excited about contributing to the success of a groundbreaking Series C space startup, wed love for you to apply.

The Role

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Design-for-Test (DFT) Engineer to lead and drive DFT architecture and implementation for complex mixed-signal SOCs. This role requires deep expertise in memory BIST and TAP controller insertion at RTL, scan insertion and ATPG, and test strategy development across digital and mixed-signal domains. You will play a critical role in ensuring high test coverage, manufacturability, and first-pass silicon success while collaborating closely with design, verification, and physical design teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement DFT architecture for mixed-signal SoCs, including scan, MBIST, LBIST, and boundary scan.
• Lead RTL-level DFT insertion, scan chain insertion and optimization, test point insertion, and low-power DFT methodologies.
• Own ATPG flow development and execution by generating high-quality stuck-at, transition, and path delay test patterns. Drive coverage closure and pattern optimization and debug pattern failure and silicon correlation.
• Develop and integrate DFT strategies for mixed-signal blocks, including wrapper-based approaches, and analog test interfaces and BIST solutions.
• Collaborate with RTL, DV, and PD teams to ensure clean DFT integration at RTL and gate-level, and timing and physical constraints alignment (scan reordering, compression, etc.).
• Drive DFT verification and signoff, including Scan/ATPG coverage metrics, DRC/Lint checks (DFT rule compliance), gate-level simulation and pattern validation.
• Support bring-up and silicon debug activities by analyzing tester failures, yield issues, and ATPG pattern correlation with silicon behavior.
• Contribute to methodology development, automation, and flow improvements.

Qualifications 

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in DFT for complex SoCs.
• Strong hands-on experience with RTL DFT insertion (scan, compression, test points), and ATPG tools and flows.
• Deep understanding of scan architectures, compression techniques, fault models (stuck-at, transition, bridging, path delay), coverage analysis and closure strategies.
• Experience with low-power DFT techniques.
• Familiarity with mixed-signal integration challenges and test methodologies.
• Strong debugging skills across RTL, gate-level, and silicon.

Nice to Have

• Experience with MBIST/LBIST implementation and memory repair flows.
• Knowledge of IEEE 1149.x (JTAG/boundary scan) standards.
• Experience with multi-voltage domain and power-aware DFT.
• Exposure to physical design impacts on DFT (scan chain reordering, congestion, timing).
• Scripting experience for automation.
• Experience in high-speed interfaces (SerDes) or RF/mixed-signal SoCs.
• Prior involvement in A0 silicon bring-up and yield ramp.
• Experience working in cross-functional, geographically distributed teams.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base salary range for this role is $170,000 – $250,000 + 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 dont 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. xihmbke

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.