Principal Avionics Systems Engineer

K2Spacecorporation; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off

Paid parental leave

Equity in the company

Job summary

K2Spacecorporation in Los Angeles is seeking a Responsible Engineer for Avionics system design and integration. The successful candidate will work with cross-functional teams to develop and test spacecraft systems, requiring a minimum of 8 years in avionics design.

Responsibilities include technical documentation, component testing, and project management. The position offers a base salary range of $180,000 to $240,000, alongside comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in avionics systems design, development, and testing.
• Experience with hardware test automation and data analysis.
• Creativity in solving engineering problems and assessing risks.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and integration of avionics systems on spacecraft.
• Create and manage technical documentation for avionics systems.
• Conduct component testing and support spacecraft integration.

Skills

Avionics system design

Python programming

Rust programming

Risk assessment and management

Collaboration with cross-functional teams

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering

Tools

NX or similar CAD software

Test equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes)

Altium or similar software

Linux

Bash

C++

Job description

The Role

Responsible Engineer for system design, analysis, testing and integration of Avionics with a specialized focus on spacecraft charging, radiation, EMI, and/or RF. partner with cross‑functional teams to make architecture trades, design new spacecraft hardware, and characterize overall Avionics System performance on the largest, most powerful satellites. Establish production test infrastructure, qualify spacecraft for MEO and GEO environments, and achieve flight qualification within the first two years.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Responsible Engineer for Avionics system design, performance, and hardware across computing, power, instrumentation, RF components, GNC sensors, and harnessing on the satellite bus.
• Collaborate closely with cross‑functional Engineering teams to capture requirements, lead design trades, and integrate the design into the spacecraft systems.
• Create and update technical documentation including system diagrams, schematics, interface control documents, procedures, test/anomaly reports.
• Execute Avionics component and system testing on flight hardware through development acceptance, qualification, and integration testing.
• Support spacecraft integration testing, address production issues, troubleshoot failures, and manage overall spacecraft risk.
• Design, develop, and build Avionics production infrastructure.
• Write modular, reusable test, analysis, and automation software in Python and Rust.
• Effectively manage and communicate project plan, milestones, and schedule execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8+ years of experience in the architectural design, development, test, and integration of space‑grade avionics systems.
• Experience programmatically interfacing with hardware test automation and data analysis tasks.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, high‑velocity start‑up atmosphere.
• Creative problem solver capable of assessing risk and making collaborative design and development decisions.

Nice to Have

• Hands‑on experience with environmental testing for space electronics and harnessing such as thermal, thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, radiation, and EMI/EMC testing per SMC‑S‑016.
• Expertise with vehicle grounding architecture, spacecraft charging, EMI, and/or RF testing and compatibility.
• Competence with electrical test equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes, network analyzers, etc.).
• Strong presentation experience in highly technical design forums and reviews (PDR, CDR, FTR, etc.).
• Proficiency with NX or similar CAD software including electrical harness routing.
• Expertise in PCB schematic capture and board layout, ideally using Altium or similar software.
• Experience with Linux, Bash, C++, MODBUS.
• Experience with vehicle‑level testing including writing test procedures, creating robust and efficient test sequencing, and analytical data review to evaluate hardware health.
• Familiarity with vehicle power analysis, flight software state machine structures, and communication systems.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary range $180,000 – $240,000 plus equity in the company.
• Salary determined by factors including knowledge, skills, education, and experience level.
• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and additional perks.

Equal Opportunity

K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment 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, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

Export Compliance

As defined in the ITAR, “U.S. Persons” include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and certain protected individuals. The person hired will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, and must be a “U.S. person” or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.