Principal Network Engineer

K2 Space Corporation; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in the company

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid parental leave

Job summary

K2 Space Corporation, located in Los Angeles, is seeking a Networking Architect to build networks essential for high-powered satellites. You will define network architectures ensuring performance across production labs and global operations.

The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience in networking architecture, strong knowledge of networking protocols, and relevant certifications. The position offers a base salary range of $155,000 to $185,000 along with equity and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of demonstrated experience in Networking Architecture and Design.
• Strong foundation in IT network and systems methodology.
• Experience with logical design models (L2/L3, VPC, VDC, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal technical authority for enterprise networking.
• Architect, design, and govern large-scale network environments.
• Lead design and execution of complex initiatives like SD-WAN deployments.

Skills

Experience in Networking Architecture and Design

Knowledge of networking protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, MPLS, TCP/IP)

Network test automation

IT network and systems methodology

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering

Relevant certifications (CCNP, CCIE, ITIL Foundations v3)

Tools

Network control protocols (QoS, PfR, PoE, NTP, DHCP)

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 Role

You’ll build the network foundations at the core of our mission that enable the development and operation of high-powered satellites – from our corporate offices, factory floor to test, launch, and on-orbit operations. You will define and evolve the architectures that connect people, systems, and missions to ensure resilient and high-performance networking across production labs, data centers, cloud environments, and global operations. In your first six months, you’ll set the technical direction for how we design, secure, and operate networks that can keep pace with rapid hardware iteration and mission‑critical timelines. As we scale, your work will become a force multiplier – supporting increasingly powerful spacecraft, more complex missions, and the subsequent infrastructure required to deliver a new class of satellite technology. The networks you build will be foundational to how K2 Space designs, tests, launches, and operates the most capable satellites in the industry.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal technical authority for enterprise networking, defining long-term network architecture and strategy aligned with business and security objectives
• Architect, design, and govern large-scale, highly available, and secure network environments across data centers, cloud, hybrid, and global WANs
• Own network reference architectures, standards, and design patterns, ensuring scalability, resiliency, performance, and operational consistency
• Lead the design and execution of complex initiatives such as data center modernization, cloud networking transformations, SD‑WAN deployments, and zero‑trust network architectures
• Evaluate network technologies, service providers, and vendors; make strategic recommendations on adoption, optimization, and deprecation
• Mentor senior and staff‑level network engineers, raising the technical bar and building organizational depth

Qualifications

• 8+ years of demonstrated experience in the Networking Architecture and Design, Network Implementation and Network Test Automation
• Strong foundation in IT network and systems methodology (analysis, design, development, testing, implementation, and post‑implementation support)
• In-depth knowledge of networking protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, MPLS, TCP/IP)
• Experience with logical design models (L2/L3, VPC, VDC, Datacenter Zones, Spanning Tree, VRF, VTP, VLANs, and cabling)
• Working technical knowledge of network control protocols (QoS, PfR, PoE, NTP, DHCP), network management protocols (CDP, FTP, TFTP, SNMP)
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CCNP, CCIE, ITIL Foundations v3, etc.)

Nice to Have

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in computer science or engineering
• Technical certifications (i.e., Network+, MCSE, Security+)

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary range for this role is $155,000 – $185,000 and 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.