K2 Space
space startup
AvionicsTestEngineer
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Mid candidates.
“Avionics Test Engineer at K2 Space. Skills: optical avionics testing, test hardware design, test automation software, data acquisition, control systems, instrumentation systems. developing production test hardware and software to deliver optical avionics through ATP and QTP. interfacing with ambitious optical payloads”
What You'll Achieve.
deliver optical avionics through ATP and QTP; meet critical programmatic milestones such as delivery of flight hardware to vehicle integration; ensure reliability and scalability; meet internal and external customer needs; test at the integrated level; support hardware lifecycle; high-rate optical testing
Industry & Context.
root cause investigations; Creative problem solver that can balance schedule, resource, and technical constraints
U. S. Persons status required due to ITAR regulations
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
2+ years of experience with test hardware design, software scripting programming abilities (Python, C++, or Rust), Experience designing, building, and testing electrical assemblies and test fixtures
Nice to Have
Experience with design and testing of optical systems, Experience with camera automation and quantitative image processing (ex. beam profiling), power meters, and laser interlocks, Experience with data acquisition, controls, and dedicated test equipment, Familiarity with SMC-S-016 or MIL-STD-810 testing methods, including vibration, shock, and thermal testing, Understanding of the failure modes of electrical and optical systems in space environments, Demonstrated ability to own electrical or optical hardware test systems within an integrated engineering team, Creative problem solver that can balance schedule, resource, and technical constraints
What You'll Do.
developing production test hardware and software to deliver optical avionics through ATP and QTP
interfacing with ambitious optical payloads
validating prototype designs
defining test requirements
designing test infrastructure
leading multidisciplinary test campaigns
root cause investigations
production improvements
Design and fabricate test hardware
reusable test automation software and drivers
Execute development and production tests
Develop data acquisition
and instrumentation systems
Own the project management of multiple test assets and acceptance testing of optical avionics including upgrades to support hardware lifecycle
Design device simulators deployed across component subsystem and HITL testbeds
Design and build optical tables with automated active alignment for high-rate optical testing
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
working alongside the Optical team; Collaborate with a cross-functional team
Process & Methodology
Own the project management of multiple test assets, acceptance testing of optical avionics, project test schedules
Full 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 – 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 K2’s plan doesn't stop at satellite buses. Operating our own vehicles and manifesting regular rides to space uniquely positions K2 to design, test, and deploy-at-scale ambitious optical payloads in MEO, GEO, cis-lunar, and deep space on unprecedented timelines. The satellite bus is the platform – the payloads are the mission. As an Optical Avionics Test Engineer, you will be pivotal in developing production test hardware and software to deliver optical avionics through ATP and QTP. You will be working alongside the Optical team to interface with ambitious optical payloads, validate prototype designs, define test requirements, and design test infrastructure to meet critical programmatic milestones s
Applying for this Avionics Test Engineer role?
Most applicants get filtered before a human reads their resume. See if yours makes the cut.
How to Apply on Greenhouse
- Create a Greenhouse profile before applying — it saves time across multiple applications.
- Upload your resume as a PDF; the parser handles it better than Word.
- Answer all knockout questions carefully — wrong answers auto-reject before a human sees you.
- Enable email notifications to track application status in real time.
ANONYMOUS · UNFILTERED
What do employees actually say about K2 Space?
Real rants from real employees. Read before you apply.