Mission Lead Engineer

K2 is a space startup developing high‑power satellite platforms.

As a Mission Lead Engineer within National Security Programs, you’ll serve as the primary technical interface between K2 Space, customers, and partners as we develop and shape mission architectures for future and ongoing opportunities to host advanced payload capabilities onto K2’s satellite bus platform. You’ll primarily support mission‑level engineering for early technical engagement, requirements formulation and negotiation, concept and architecture studies, payload‑to‑bus compatibility, proposal‑phase activities, and program execution.

In this role, you will work closely with Program Managers and key engineering disciplines to define and architect missions (mechanical, software, power, avionics, etc.) and ensure alignment to K2 Space’s technology and capabilities. You will also represent K2 Space in critical customer engagements, study reviews, and technical negotiations.

• Define, mature, and negotiate mission concepts. Support initial payload integration studies, mission analysis, system architecture trades, system integration designs, and concept of operations development.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation for system architecture, payload interface designs, spacecraft design capabilities and requirements, and concepts of operations to ensure customer requirements and architectures align with K2 Space’s technology offerings.
• Serve as the primary technical interface for early customer engagement. Lead technical discussions, represent K2 Space in TEMs and study reviews, ensure customer requirements are understood, and ensure the customer understands the extent of K2 Space’s capabilities.
• Coordinate cross‑functional early study efforts. Work closely with vehicle engineering, avionics, software, propulsion, thermal, and AI&T teams to ensure solutions are practical and executable.

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 5+ Years of experience working in the aerospace or space industry, working with spacecraft or space systems.
• Direct experience designing, developing, integrating or testing spacecraft or space systems.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft subsystems, space system architectures, and mission modeling and simulation.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

• Master’s degree or above in an engineering discipline.
• 10+ Years of experience working in the aerospace or space industry, working with spacecraft, launch vehicles, airborne systems, or payloads.
• Experience working directly with National Security customers and systems.
• Satellite constellation modeling, simulation and analysis experience and intuitive understanding of multibody dynamics.
• Payload performance modeling and analysis (Electro Optical, Radio Frequency, Infrared, Communications, Networking, Position Navigation and timing etc).
• Deep understanding of national security enterprise ground systems and architectures including command and control, networking, tasking, planning, scheduling, processing, dissemination, and tracking software architectures.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

• Base salary range for this role is $125,000 – $250,000 plus 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…