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
The final integrated system is where everything comes together — mechanical, electrical, software, and mission-critical performance. We need an integration leader who ensures that when we say a vehicle is “ready for flight,” it truly is. If you thrive on system-level thinking, love working across disciplines, and want to shape how integration and test quality are done in a fast-moving environment, this role is for you.
Responsibilities
- Translate system/customer needs into practical quality criteria, interface requirements, and test acceptance goals for integrated systems.
- Review models, schematics, drawings, and ICDs to ensure clean integration and protect critical features.
- Collaborate with design/test teams to develop qualification and acceptance strategies (V&V plans, ESS).
- Flow requirements into integration procedures, work instructions, and accurate instrumentation/data capture.
- Lead nonconformance management and drive corrective/preventive actions.
- Establish process capability using PFMEA, SPC/MSA; improve yields, ATP pass rates, and retest efficiency.
- Assess and audit supplier capability; manage APQP/PPAP deliverables
- Develop and track integration/test metrics and apply analytics
- Align processes with AS9100/AS9145 while improving QMS for speed and confidence.
- Represent integration work clearly during customer audits and maintain lessons-learned for continuous improvement.
Qualifications
- BS in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Systems, or related engineering field (MS preferred).
- 7+ years of experience leading integration/test quality projects independently
- Hands-on experience with system-level integration and acceptance testing for complex, high-reliability products (aerospace, automotive/EV, medical devices, robotics, energy, electronics manufacturing, etc.).
- Strong fundamentals: ATP development, configuration management, DFMEA/PFMEA, SPC/MSA, 8D/FRACAS; confident MRB leadership.
- Familiar with structured quality systems: AS9100, AS9145/APQP, PPAP (or analogous frameworks in other regulated industries).
- Comfortable with PLM/MES (e.g., Teamcenter) and Jira.
Nice to Have
- Environmental/functional test experience (vibration, thermal, EMI/EMC) and reliability practices (ESS, FRACAS).
- Supplier development and audits for integration/test hardware and instrumentation; practical use of GIDEP/DLA resources.
- APQP/PPAP leadership; ASQ CQE/CRE or Six Sigma credentials.
- Background in launch/space systems, UAVs, robotics, automotive EV, or medical devices; building quality systems in a startup (0→1).
- Able to obtain a security clearance if required.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Base salary range for this role is $130,000 - $185,000 + 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.
Top Skills
K2 Space Corporation Torrance, California, USA Office
960 Knox Street, Building A , Torrance, California , United States, 90502
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