Junior Rust Developer Jobs in Pasadena, CA (NOW HIRING)

The Role

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.

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.

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.

Responsibilities

• Operate spacecraft (interpret telemetry, send commands) during system tests at the factory, test facilities, launch sites, and during pre-launch operations

• Collaborate with design and systems engineers to define test plans with pass/fail criteria for vehicle checkouts

• Mentor more junior members of the team

• Interface with customers to scope testing performed on their payloads, based on expected functions and failure modes of interest

• Manage relationships with launch vehicle providers, including contractual deliverables such as interface control documents and environmental test plan justifications

• Assess risks associated with different integration and test approaches, justify test reductions and optimize vehicle build/test flows for at-rate production

• Own and maintain HITL table configuration and build out, including the test racks

• Influence the design of the vehicle's flight software and the supporting in-house tools that operators use daily

• Understand vehicle operations and become an expert for multiple subsystems on the vehicle

• Support pre-launch activities at the launch provider's payload processing facility

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, aerospace, mechanical, computer, or other relevant engineering discipline

• 5+ years of experience in an integration/test/automation engineering role

• 3+ years of experience testing and troubleshooting spacecraft and their related components and systems, including subsystem checkouts and system acceptance testing

• Experience with environmental testing, such as thermal vacuum or random vibration

• Experience working in a clean room and with ESD-sensitive equipment

• Hands-on experience using electrical test equipment (PSU, Oscilloscope, DMM, etc.)

• Hands-on experience with HITL or Flatsat software verification testbeds

• Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills

Nice to Have

• Background in designing test architectures or building automated test frameworks

• Proficient in Python and/or Rust

• Experience with Linux systems

• Experience managing contractual interfaces (e.g. customer, launch vehicle)

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary range for this role is $140,000 - $175,000 + 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