Program Manager, Commercial

K2Spacecorporation; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid time off

Equity in the company

Job summary

K2Spacecorporation is hiring a Program Manager in Los Angeles to define and execute the company's commercial business vision. You will engage with commercial customers, manage proposals, and oversee project execution to ensure success.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree and extensive experience in the space industry. The position offers a base salary ranging from $150,000 to $250,000, along with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in the space industry.
• 8+ years of technical program or project management experience.
• Deep understanding of commercial satellite contracting.

Responsibilities

• Lead proposal efforts for commercial customers.
• Act as the point of contact for customers.
• Plan and lead customer reviews and deliverables.

Skills

Technical program management

Contract negotiation

Communication skills

Project lifecycle experience

Ability to work in demanding environments

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science

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. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a groundbreaking Series C space startup, we’d love for you to apply.

The Role

As one of the early Program Managers at K2 Space, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the company’s commercial business vision. Directly liaising with commercial customers, partners, and stakeholders, you will successfully define early requirements through project execution. You’ll align K2 products and solutions to the most pressing needs of our end users, and shepherd projects from initial definition through acquisition and execution. You’ll create compliant and compelling proposals, support contract definition and negotiations, and establish strong partnerships across the organization to ensure end-to-end mission success.

Responsibilities

• Lead proposal efforts for commercial customers including responding to opportunities, scoping contracts, and collaborating with internal stakeholders for technical definition
• Act as the POC for your customer to resolve issues, negotiate requirements, coordinate technical and contractual changes, and maintain positive relationships
• Partner with the diverse teams within K2 to drive towards spacecraft vehicle readiness, assess change impacts, develop mission CONOPS, and proactively track schedules to ensure all contract requirements are met
• Communicate with internal management, executives, and customers about the overall program schedule and mission readiness
• Plan and lead customer reviews and deliverables through cross-company coordination, developing and briefing technical content on complex designs, trade studies, risks, and issues
• Nurture and maintain a network of commercial customers, partners, and stakeholders

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in an engineering or science discipline
• 5+ years of professional experience in the space industry
• 8+ years of technical program or project management experience
• Full project lifecycle experience, preferably with spacecraft
• Deep understanding of commercial satellite contracting and business development
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience negotiating technical deliverables, requirements and scope
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, autonomously driven, and demanding startup atmosphere
• Demonstrated success working in an environment with competing priorities and aggressive schedules
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time

Nice to Have

• Program Management certification

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary range for this role is $150,000 - $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 don’t meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non‑traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!

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.