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 Senior HR Business Partner at K2 Space you will play a pivotal role in shaping our company's culture and people strategy. You will work closely with leadership to design and implement HR initiatives that align with our mission, fostering an innovative and inclusive environment where top talent can thrive.

You will serve as a strategic partner and reliable resource for engineering people managers and individual contributors, creating a positive and productive work environment. Leverage your well-honed understanding of applicable labor and employment law to ensure the company is as compliant as it is compelling. This is a unique opportunity to build the HR function from the ground up in a dynamic, cutting-edge industry, driving impact at every level of the organization.

If you're passionate about people and space, this is the role for you.

Responsibilities

Strategic Business Partnership Partner with engineering and operational leadership to anticipate workforce risks and support organizational scaling across all sites Serve as a trusted, high-judgment advisor to people managers and individual contributors on core HR matters Contribute to strategic initiatives that support company goals, including diversity and inclusion efforts and workforce development programs Employee Relations Compliance Proactively identify and resolve employee relations matters before they escalate, and manage existing matters in a timely, fair, and collaborative way Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws across multiple states Identify, build, and implement HR policies and processes required to meet legal and contractual obligations while enabling the business to scale Manager Coaching Leadership Development Coach managers on how to address people matters confidentially, compliantly, and with consistency Build manager capability that translates into high-performing, well-supported engineering teams Respond to employee questions with clear, accurate guidance on core HR functions Talent Strategy Retention Drive internal initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention Partner on succession planning and longer-term leadership development to build internal talent readiness

Qualifications

8+ years as an HR Business Partner, including experience with technical, engineering, or operational teams Demonstrated success operating in high-growth, fast-scaling startup environments Experience in a California-based aerospace, engineering, technology, or hardware manufacturing company Proven ability to influence and coach managers and individual contributors, resolving complex matters without damaging relationships, and coaching leaders toward c