Mission Payload Engineer (TS//SCI)

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 As a Mission Payload Engineer within National Security Programs, you’ll serve as the primary technical interface between K2 Space, customers, and partners as we integrate advanced payload capabilities onto K2’s satellite bus platform. You’ll support the entire program lifecycle – from early proposal phases through spacecraft design, development, integration, test, and on-orbit operations.

) and develop integration and test plans that ensure successful mission execution. You will also represent K2 Space in critical customer engagements, design reviews, and verification milestones. The ideal candidate has strong multi-disciplinary engineering skills, hands-on experience, and excellent communication abilities to effectively collaborate with National Security customers and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Manage payload integration across the full satellite lifecycle. Support initial proposals, design, development, integration, testing, launch and on-orbit commissioning. Serve as the primary customer interface for payload integration.

Requirements

are understood and met. Development, maintain, and negotiate payload interface control documentation. Define mechanical, electrical, software, power, and mission interfaces, ensuring clear technical alignment between payload and bus teams.

Create and execute payload interface verification and validation plans.

, and oversee final sell-off with internal and external stakeholders. Coordinate cross-functional integration efforts. Work closely with vehicle engineering, avionics, software, propulsion, thermal, and AI T teams to ensure seamless payload integration.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline. 2+ years of experience working in the aerospace or space industry, working with spacecraft, launch vehicles, airborne systems, or payloads. 2+ years of technical project management and/or systems engineering experience.

Hands-on experience with developing, integrating and testing launch vehicles, spacecraft, or other aerospace systems. Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, software, and power interfaces for satellite payloads.

Nice To Have

Master’s degree in an engineering discipline. Experience working directly with National Security customers.