Mission Payload Engineer (TS/SCI)

Mundi; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

K2 Space is seeking a Mission Payload Engineer within National Security Programs to serve as the primary technical interface between K2 Space, customers, and partners as we integrate advanced payload capabilities onto the satellite bus.

You will support the full program lifecycle—from early proposals through spacecraft design, development, integration, test, and on-orbit operations—working with PMs and engineering disciplines to define and negotiate payload interfaces.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 2+ years aerospace/space industry experience.
• 2+ years technical project management or systems engineering experience.
• Hands-on experience with developing, integrating and testing launch vehicles or spacecraft.
• Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, software, and power interfaces for satellite payloads.

Responsibilities

• Manage payload integration across satellite lifecycle. Support initial proposals, design, development, integration, testing, launch and on‑orbit commissioning.
• Serve as the primary customer interface for payload integration. Lead technical discussions, represent K2 Space in design reviews, and ensure customer 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. Develop testing strategies to ensure compliance with mission and interface requirements, 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.

Skills

Aerospace experience

Project management

Systems engineering

Payload interfaces

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in engineering

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

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.

In this role, you will work closely with Program Managers and key engineering disciplines to define and negotiate payload interfaces (mechanical, data and software, power, mission, etc.) 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. Lead technical discussions, represent K2 Space in design reviews, and ensure customer 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. Develop testing strategies to ensure compliance with mission and interface requirements, 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.
• 5+ years of experience working in the aerospace or space industry, working with spacecraft, launch vehicles, airborne systems, or payloads.
• Hands‑on spacecraft integration and test experience, including environmental testing, verification and troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and deliver results across multiple parallel priorities.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to work collaboratively in high-performing teams.
• Active Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance preferred; willing to pursue and maintain a clearance if not already cleared.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $135,000 + 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.

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.