Mission Operations Engineering Intern – Summer 2027

K2 Space Corporation; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend

Travel stipend

Job summary

K2 Space Corporation seeks a motivated engineering student for a 12-week in-person internship at our Torrance HQ. You will support test procedures, participate in integration campaigns, and operate spacecraft during tests to confirm flight worthiness.

You’ll collaborate with technicians, engineers, and managers, gaining hands-on experience with Python, Rust, Linux, and HITL/Flatsat testbeds while contributing to high-impact campaigns.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in mechanical, electrical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline.
• 6+ months experience of technical engineering skills outside of the university setting.
• Interest in spacecraft testing and flight hardware integration.

Responsibilities

• Support test procedures (manual and automated) for spacecraft hardware and software flight worthiness.
• Participate in high-visibility integration campaigns for development and flight hardware.
• Operate spacecraft during system tests at factory, test facilities, launch sites, and pre-launch operations.
• Identify and elevate off-nominal conditions and drive issues to resolution with the engineering team.
• Communicate status, needs, and risks to K2 Space team during high-intensity operations.
• Assess risks of different integration, test, and flight approaches and communicate mitigations.

Skills

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in mechanical, electrical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline

Tools

Python

Rust

Linux

HITL testbeds

Flatsat

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 over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, ICONIQ, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and T. Rowe Price — and with over $1 billion 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 in 2027 and plans to scale to 100 satellites a year, we're Building Bigger — helping develop the solar system and build toward 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 high-growth Series D-funded company.

The Role

• Support test procedures (manual and automated) used to confirm spacecraft hardware and software flight worthiness
• Take part in high-visibility integration campaigns for development and flight hardware
• Operate spacecraft (interpret telemetry, send commands) during system tests at the factory, test facilities, launch sites, and during pre-launch operations and space operations
• Identify and elevate off-nominal conditions during test, and drive issues to resolution by engaging with the wider engineering team
• Clearly communicate status, needs, and risks to the entire K2 Space team (and payload providers) during high-intensity operations
• Assess risks associated with different integration, test, and flight approaches, and clearly communicate mitigations and trade-offs

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in mechanical, electrical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
• 6+ months experience of technical engineering skills outside of the university setting classroom (eg: laboratory, research, extracurricular project teams, volunteering, personal projects or prior internship/work experience)

Additional Requirements

• Available for a minimum 12-week internship in person at our HQ in Torrance

Nice to Have

• Ability to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment, including frequent interactions with technicians, engineers, and managers
• Experience testing and troubleshooting spacecraft and their related components and systems, including subsystem checkouts and system acceptance testing
• Familiarity with mission operations concepts such as LEOP, telemetry, commanding, fault protection, and anomaly resolution
• Experience working in a clean room and with ESD-sensitive equipment
• Experience operating vehicles in a mission or production setting
• Hands-on experience with HITL or Flatsat software verification testbeds
• Experience or exposure in a test or automation role
• Experience in Python and/or Rust
• Experience with Linux systems

Compensation

• Hourly pay range for this non-exempt role is $30 - $40 per hour
• Hourly rate will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
• Housing and travel stipend may also be available

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

Export Compliance

• 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.