Propulsion Electrical Test Engineer

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, ICONIQ, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and T. Rowe Price - and with over $1 billion 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 in 2027 and plans to scale to 100 satellites a year, we're Building Bigger - helping develop the solar system and build toward 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 high-growth Series D-funded company, we'd love for you to apply.

The Role  

You will own the success of avionics testing involving the development of the highest-powered electric propulsion system ever flown. In your first 6 months, you will be pivotal in developing production quality test hardware and software to deliver flight avionics through ATP and QTP for the Mega satellite constellation. As part of a multidisciplinary propulsion team, you will work alongside electrical, propulsion, mechanical, manufacturing, test and automation engineers to validate prototype designs, define test requirements, and design test infrastructure to meet critical programmatic milestones such as delivery of flight hardware to vehicle integration. In your first year, you will lead multidisciplinary test campaigns, root cause investigations, conduct propulsion system hot-fire tests, and production improvements to ensure reliability and scalability.  

Responsibilities  

• Lead setup, execution, and analysis of tests on electronic hardware, including circuit boards and spacecraft power systems 

• Troubleshoot complex electronics, test setups, and anomalies in collaboration with engineering teams 

• Support environmental and functional testing, including vibration, thermal vacuum, and EMI/EMC testing 

• Design and fabricate test hardware, harnessing, and test systems to support propulsion development testing 

• Develop modular, reusable test automation software and drivers in Linux, Python, C++, Rust, etc 

• Lead satellite subsystem test campaigns from kickoff, through test report, and beyond 

• Develop data acquisition, control, and instrumentation systems to test at the integrated level 

• Own the project management of multiple test assets and acceptance testing of flight avionics including upgrades to support hardware lifecycle 

• Design device simulators deployed across component subsystem and HITL testbeds 

• Collaborate with a cross-functional team to establish product requirements, testing methods, and project test schedules 

Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, computer, or other relevant engineering discipline or any equivalent combination of education and experience 

• 2+ years of experience in hardware testing, validation, or related roles 

• Strong programming abilities (Python, C++, Rust) 

• Solid understanding of electronic circuits, schematics, and components 

• Experience designing multi-layer PCBAs for high-power or avionics applications 

Nice to Have  

• Experience designing analog control loops, solid state load switches, motor inverters, EMI/EMC compliance, or sensor signal conditioning circuits 

• Experience with data acquisition, controls, and dedicated test equipment 

• Proficient with circuit simulation tools such as LTspice 

• Experience with component selection for use in radiation environments 

• Familiarity with SMC-S-016 or MIL-STD-810 testing methods, including vibration, shock, and thermal testing 

• Experience with power processing units (PPU) for electric propulsion testing 

• Understanding of the failure modes of electrical systems in space environments 

• Creative problem solver that can balance schedule, resource, and technical constraints 

Compensation and Benefits:  

• Base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $150,000 + 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.