Senior Integration & Test Engineer

K2Spacecorporation; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision coverage

Paid parental leave

Equity in the company

Job summary

K2Spacecorporation is seeking a skilled engineer to lead spacecraft testing and ensure operational readiness through rigorous ground-side campaigns. You will collaborate with diverse engineering teams and mentor junior staff, while directly influencing high-stakes operations in a fast-paced environment.

As a core member of the team, your role involves operating spacecraft during tests, defining best practices, and managing relationships with launch providers. Successful candidates will possess a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and extensive experience in spacecraft integration and testing.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in integration/test/automation engineering.
• 3+ years of experience testing and troubleshooting spacecraft and their related components.
• Experience with thermal vacuum or random vibration environmental testing.
• Hands-on experience with HITL or Flatsat software verification testbeds.

Responsibilities

• Operate spacecraft during system tests at various sites.
• Collaborate with engineers to define test plans for vehicle checkouts.
• Mentor junior team members.
• Manage relationships with launch vehicle providers.

Skills

Integration/test/automation engineering

Troubleshooting spacecraft systems

Conflict resolution

Experience with electrical test equipment

Environmental testing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant engineering discipline

Tools

Python

Rust

Linux systems

Job description

The Role

You’ll sit at the heart of bringing our satellites to life. You’ll lead critical ground‑side test campaigns, guide cross‑functional teams, and shape the systems and processes that ensure every vehicle performs flawlessly from first power‑on through on‑orbit activities.

In this role, you’ll mentor others while staying close to the hardware: commanding powered spacecraft, resolving anomalies in real time, and driving readiness for launch. Your leadership will raise the bar on quality, reliability, and speed, building the foundation for repeatable, high‑confidence operations. As we evolve from hands‑on procedures to a highly automated production operation, you’ll define the standards, tools, and best practices that make that transformation possible. Your work will directly influence how we scale, how we operate, and how fast we can put new capability on‑orbit.

If you thrive at the intersection of engineering rigor, system‑level thinking, and high‑stakes operations, this role puts you in a unique position to shape the future of production test at K2 Space.

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.

Responsibilities

• Operate spacecraft (interpret telemetry, send commands) during system tests at the factory, test facilities, launch sites, and during pre‑launch operations

• Collaborate with design and systems engineers to define test plans with pass/fail criteria for vehicle checkouts

• Mentor more junior members of the team

• Interface with customers to scope testing performed on their payloads, based on expected functions and failure modes of interest

• Manage relationships with launch vehicle providers, including contractual deliverables such as interface control documents and environmental test plan justifications

• Assess risks associated with different integration and test approaches, justify test reductions and optimize vehicle build/test flows for at‑rate production

• Own and maintain HITL table configuration and built out, including the test racks

• Influence the design of the vehicle’s flight software and the supporting in‑house tools that operators use daily

• Understand vehicle operations and become an expert for multiple subsystems on the vehicle

• Support pre‑launch activities at the launch provider’s payload processing facility

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, aerospace, mechanical, computer, or other relevant engineering discipline

• 5+ years of experience in an integration/test/automation engineering role

• 3+ years of experience testing and troubleshooting spacecraft and their related components and systems, including subsystem checkouts and system acceptance testing

• Experience with environmental testing, such as thermal vacuum or random vibration

• Experience working in a clean room and with ESD‑sensitive equipment

• Hands‑on experience using electrical test equipment (PSU, oscilloscope, DMM, etc.)

• Hands‑on experience with HITL or Flatsat software verification testbeds

• Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills

Nice to Have

• Background in designing test architectures or building automated test frameworks

• Proficient in Python and/or Rust

• Experience with Linux systems

• Experience managing contractual interfaces (e.g. customer, launch vehicle)

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary range for this role is $140,000 – $175,000 + 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

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.