The RoleÂ
You'll sit at the heart of bringing our satellites to life. You'll lead critical ground-side test campaigns, guide cross-functional teams, and shape the systems and processes that ensure every vehicle performs flawlessly from first power-on through on-orbit activities.Â
In this role, you'll mentor others while staying close to the hardware: commanding powered spacecraft, resolving anomalies in real time, and driving readiness for launch. Your leadership will raise the bar on quality, reliability, and speed, building the foundation for repeatable, high-confidence operations. As we evolve from hands-on procedures to a highly automated production operation, you'll define the standards, tools, and best practices that make that transformation possible. Your work will directly influence how we scale, how we operate, and how fast we can put new capability on-orbit.Â
If you thrive at the intersection of engineering rigor, system-level thinking, and high-stakes operations, this role puts you in a unique position to shape the future of production test at K2 Space.Â
 ResponsibilitiesÂ
- Operate spacecraft (interpret telemetry, send commands) during system tests at the factory, test facilities, launch sites, and during pre-launch operationsÂ
- Collaborate with design and systems engineers to define test plans with pass/fail criteria for vehicle checkoutsÂ
- Mentor more junior members of the teamÂ
- Interface with customers to scope testing performed on their payloads, based on expected functions and failure modes of interestÂ
- Manage relationships with launch vehicle providers, including contractual deliverables such as interface control documents and environmental test plan justificationsÂ
- Assess risks associated with different integration and test approaches, justify test reductions and optimize vehicle build/test flows for at-rate productionÂ
- Own and maintain HITL table configuration and build out, including the test racksÂ
- Influence the design of the vehicle's flight software and the supporting in-house tools that operators use dailyÂ
- Understand vehicle operations and become an expert for multiple subsystems on the vehicleÂ
- Support pre-launch activities at the launch provider's payload processing facilityÂ
QualificationsÂ
- Bachelor's degree in electrical, aerospace, mechanical, computer, or other relevant engineering disciplineÂ
- 5+ years of experience in an integration/test/automation engineering roleÂ
- 3+ years of experience testing and troubleshooting spacecraft and their related components and systems, including subsystem checkouts and system acceptance testingÂ
- Experience with environmental testing, such as thermal vacuum or random vibrationÂ
- Experience working in a clean room and with ESD-sensitive equipmentÂ
- Hands-on experience using electrical test equipment (PSU, Oscilloscope, DMM, etc.)Â
- Hands-on experience with HITL or Flatsat software verification testbedsÂ
- Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skillsÂ
Nice to HaveÂ
- Background in designing test architectures or building automated test frameworksÂ
- Proficient in Python and/or RustÂ
- Experience with Linux systemsÂ
- Experience managing contractual interfaces (e.g. customer, launch vehicle)Â
Compensation and BenefitsÂ
- Base salary range for this role is $140,000 - $175,000 + equity in the companyÂ
- Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience levelÂ
- Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perksÂ