Ground Integration Lead, Top Secret Clearance

K2 Space Corporation; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision coverage

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

K2 Space is seeking a senior leader to unify its end-to-end ground systems integration across commercial, science, and national security missions. You will shape strategy, oversee in-house ground infra investment, and coordinate with partners.

Lead a growing team, ensure secure, scalable operations across classified environments, and engage with customers and industry partners.

This role offers impact across space infrastructure and accelerates the next generation of space constellations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field or 3+ years software engineering experience.
• Experience deploying and integrating sophisticated hardware and software systems.
• Proven track record in building and scaling engineering teams.
• Deep experience with classified systems and security requirements.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the long-term vision for end-to-end ground systems integration.
• Direct and technically lead investment in new in-house ground infrastructure and manage relationships with third-party partners.
• Architect ground systems for multi-level classification with secure and reliable constellation operations.
• Build and mentor a team of ground integration engineers.
• Deliver robust, scalable, and secure systems at startup speed.
• Represent K2 Space in recruiting, industry events, customer interactions, and partnerships.

Skills

8+ years software development

3+ years leadership

Ground systems integration

Team building

Enterprise-scale solutions

Classified systems security

Strong coordination with partners

Hardware/software deployment

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, mathematics or STEM

3+ years of professional software engineering experience

Tools

Docker/Kubernetes

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.

The Role

K2 Space operates constellations spanning commercial, science, and national security missions using a mix of in-house and legacy ground systems. In this role, you will be a key part of the team in charge of integrating all of these systems into a cohesive, reliable ground network. The ground systems you and your team build will be capable of bridging the gap between heterogeneous constellations in space and the RF and Optical ground segment that controls them. You will be key in a multi-pronged strategy to invest in K2 ground infrastructure while also engaging with partners to integrate with legacy and 3rd party ground systems.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the long-term vision for K2 Space’s end to end ground systems integration
• Direct and technically lead investment in new in-house ground infrastructure while managing and building relationships with third party mission partners
• Integrate with customer teams to architect new ground systems capable of operating at multiple levels of classification while delivering secure and reliable constellation operations
• Build and support a team of capable and experienced ground integration engineers responsible for building the connective tissue between new and legacy ground systems
• Ensure teams deliver robust, scalable, and secure systems at startup speed
• Represent K2 Space in recruiting, industry events, customer interactions, and strategic partnerships

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, mathematics or a STEM discipline or 3+ years of professional experience in software engineering
• 8+ years of experience in software development
• 3+ years of leadership experience at the department or org level
• Experience with the deployment and integration of sophisticated hardware and software systems
• Proven success building and scaling high-impact engineering teams
• Strong track record of delivering enterprise-scale solutions in fast-paced environments
• Deep experience with classified systems and their security requirements

Nice to Have

• Experience in aerospace, manufacturing, or mission-critical systems
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages such as Python, C#.NET, Go, Java, or similar
• Familiarity with modern languages (Python, Go, Java, C#, etc.), cloud systems, CI/CD, and container orchestration (Docker/Kubernetes).
• A track record of fostering team culture, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Understanding of existing systems architectures that support ground and orbital systems contributing to government and commercial space systems

Compensation And Benefits

• Base salary range for this role is $200,000 - $250,000 + 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 need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

Export Compliance

As defined in the ITAR, “U.S. Persons” include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a “U.S. Person.” The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R.

• 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.

Equal Opportunity

K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.