Radiation Effects Engineer

K2 Space; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision coverage

Life insurance

Paid parental leave

Job summary

K2 Space in Los Angeles is seeking a test engineer to qualify and validate satellite avionics hardware for high-radiation environments. You will own rapid development of test setups, run at national labs, and report results to hardware designers and mission planners.

The role emphasizes test engineering fundamentals, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn; prior radiation testing is preferred but not required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field, or 3+ years in aerospace hardware testing.
• Strong fundamentals and ability to design measurement setups for voltage, current, timing, and digital I/O.
• Experience with radiation effects testing (TID/SEE) is preferred but not required.
• Proficiency with standard lab equipment (oscilloscopes, DMMs, SMUs, function generators).
• Ability to develop basic test automation and data analysis scripts in Python.

Responsibilities

• Execute cradle-to-grave radiation test campaigns (SEE, TID, DDD) and document results.
• Design, fabricate, and assemble production test racks, PCBAs, and cable harnesses.
• Troubleshoot and repair electronic components and assemblies.
• Perform tests using lab equipment and record measurements accurately.
• Develop test automation scripts for data collection and analysis.
• Schedule and prioritize radiation testing to support hardware lifecycle.
• Flash firmware and verify software loads under engineering direction.

Skills

Radiation testing

Test automation

Python

Electrical measurements

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

3+ years in aerospace hardware testing

Tools

Oscilloscopes

DMMs

SMU

Function generators

Test racks & fixtures

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, we'd love for you to apply.

The Role

You willplay acriticalrole inthe qualification,implementationand reliabilityof our satellite's avionics hardware in the most intense radiation environments of space. You will own the rapid development ofcomponent,boardand subsystem level radiation test setups that you will execute at national labs across the country, while growing the team's capabilities through test rack and automation development to keep up withourgrowing business needs. Through detailed analysis and reporting of your test results, you will inform hardware designers and mission planners of how to confidentlyoperateour satellites to meet ourCommercial,NationalSecurity and science customer's needs.You willdemonstrateexcellenttest engineering fundamentals anda high levelof attention to detail to ensure our hardware and test capabilities are second to none. Prior experience in radiation effects testing is preferred but not required; strong electrical lab skills and a willingness to learn are essential.

Responsibilities

• Execute cradle-to-grave radiation test campaigns (SEE, TID, DDD and materials) through coordinating test facilities/dates, designing electrical test setups, writing test procedures, executing tests, and documenting results
• Design, fabricate, and assemble production quality test racks, test PCBAs, and cable harnesses
• Troubleshoot, repair, andmodifyelectronic components, assemblies, parts, and systems
• Perform tests and checkouts using standard lab equipment such as programmable power supplies, ohmmeters, oscilloscopes, DMM, SMU, logic analyzers and DAQs.
• Develop basic test automation, datacollectionand analysis scripts in Python
• Own the scheduling and prioritization ofcomponent, board and subsystem radiation testing to support the hardware and vehicle lifecycle
• Flash firmware and perform software load verifications under the direction of engineering team members

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related science, technology, engineeringfieldor 3+ years of experience assembling, integrating, and testing electrical components,assembliesand/or hardware in the aerospace industry (internship plus professional experience included)
• 1+ years of experience with radiation effects testing, including TID and SEE testing using proton, heavy ion, gamma, neutron, or other radiation sources (internship plus professional experience included)
• Strong electrical engineering fundamentals, with the ability to determineappropriate measurementmethods, instrumentation, and test setups for voltage, current, timing, and digital I/O measurements
• Experience conducting electrical measurements and characterizing signals (voltage, current, timing, digital I/O) using standard lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, programmable power supplies, SMUs, DMMs, function generators, and logic analyzers

Nice to Have

• Familiarity with designing circuits and setups around common components such as transistors, regulators, digital/analogcomponentsand RF devices
• Strong fundamentals of radiation effects in semiconductor devices, including how to mitigate common failure modes
• Demonstrated ability in soldering and crimping as well as assembling cable harnesses and connectors
• Demonstrated ability to document work clearly and follow structured test processes
• Familiarity with FPGA or microcontroller-based test systems
• Experience designing, building, and testing electrical assemblies,fixturesand test racks
• Ability to c reate, read, review, and redline electrical and test rack schematics
• Experience developing modular, reusable test automation software and drivers in Linux, C++, Rust, Python, Visual Studio, etc.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and attention to detail
• Strong communicationskills with ability to communicate hardware, systems, and scheduling problems and solutions

Additional Requirements

• Must be available to travelup to 25% of the yearto supportradiationtests
• ValidDriver'slicense

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary range for this exempt role is $100,000- $150,000+ equity in the company
• Compensation will be based on several factors including, but not limitedto:knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
• Comprehensive benefits package includingpaid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many otherperks

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.

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