K2 Space

space

BeamPlanningSoftwareEngineer

$123–200k Los Angeles, California, United States
Market Sentiment
HIGH DEMAND

Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Mid+ candidates.

The Brief

“Beam Planning Software Engineer at K2 Space. Skills: Beam Planning Software Engineering, optimization algorithms, simulation software infrastructure, space communication modeling. designing and optimizing the planning systems that drive how some of the largest satellites ever flown deliver value across a range of missions, including communications and sensing. develop the tools and production infrastructure that address hard questions about on-orbit performance: link feasibility, resource alloca”

What You'll Achieve.

optimize for coverage, capacity, and other objectives across entire satellite constellations; support business and engineering decisions; enable rigorous analysis of real mission scenarios; inform critical business and engineering decisions; controlling real vehicles

Industry & Context.

space
Problems you'll solve

anomaly investigation

Eligibility Requirements

U. S. Persons status required due to access to ITAR-controlled information

What They're Looking For.

Must Have

Bachelor's degree in physics, aerospace/mechanical/electrical engineering, computer science, math, or a STEM field, or 3+ years of professional experience in software engineering or a relevant field, Development experience in Rust, C++, or similar compiled language, Experience using scientific Python (NumPy, SciPy, etc. ), Julia, MATLAB, or similar

Nice to Have

3+ years of professional experience in software engineering, Master's or PhD in physics, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, operations research, or a STEM field, Experience with optimization algorithms, graph theory, and/or scheduling systems, Experience with space communication modeling: RF propagation, link budgets, interference, ground station networks, Experience with Monte Carlo simulations and probability/statistics, Experience with spacecraft modeling and orbital mechanics, Experience defining and creating simulation systems, Experience working in Rust production environments, Experience with continuous integration and continuous delivery systems

What You'll Do.

designing and optimizing the planning systems that drive how some of the largest satellites ever flown deliver value across a range of missions

including communications and sensing

develop the tools and production infrastructure that address hard questions about on-orbit performance: link feasibility

and how a constellation can serve complex

competing demands at scale

simulate and verify the software used to fly and orchestrate these spacecraft

step into different parts of the stack to drive solutions end-to-end

build simulation and planning infrastructure that models beam coverage

and capacity across multiple spacecraft

enabling rigorous analysis of real mission scenarios and informing critical business and engineering decisions

integrate these planning tools into production infrastructure controlling real vehicles

Design and implement sensing and communication beam (RF/laser) planning algorithms that optimize for coverage

and other objectives across entire satellite constellations

Develop physics-based models of spacecraft communications systems

including antenna patterns

and mechanical constraints

Perform analyses of constellation capabilities and network performance to support business and engineering decisions

including coverage gaps

Create and maintain simulation software infrastructure for our 20kW+ spacecraft

Develop software models of spacecraft subsystems like propulsion and attitude control as needed to support integrated analysis

Create robust tooling for rapid deployment of quality code

Perform data analysis and anomaly investigation to identify and resolve on-orbit problems

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 You will be responsible for designing and optimizing the planning systems that drive how some of the largest satellites ever flown deliver value across a range of missions, including communications and sensing. You will develop the tools and production infrastructure that address hard questions about on-orbit performance: link feasibility, resource allocation, and how a constellation can serve complex, competing demands at scale. Alongside this, you will simulate and verify the software used to fly and orchestrate these spacecraft, and, where needed, step into different parts of the stack to drive solutions end-to-end. In your first 6 months you will build simulation and planning infrastructure tha

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