Senior Integration & Test Engineer New Los Angeles, CA

K2 Space Corporation; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in the company

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision coverage

Life insurance

Paid parental leave

Job summary

K2 Space Corporation in Torrance, California is seeking an experienced Integration/Test Engineer to lead ground-side testing of groundbreaking satellites. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in engineering and over 5 years of relevant experience in integration and testing of spacecraft subsystems. Strong skills in troubleshooting and environmental testing are required. The position offers a competitive salary range of $140,000 – $175,000, equity options, and a comprehensive benefits package including paid time off and medical coverage.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Operate spacecraft during system tests at various sites.
• Collaborate with engineers to define test plans with pass/fail criteria.
• Mentor junior team members.

Skills

Integration and test engineering

Troubleshooting spacecraft systems

Environmental testing

Electrical test equipment

Conflict resolution and negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Oscilloscope

DMM (Digital Multimeter)

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 and an additional $500M in signed contracts across commercial and U.S. 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 are 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 a groundbreaking Series C space startup, we’d love for you to apply.

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.

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 build 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 another 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 knowledge, 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

Location

This role requires in‑office presence at our Headquarters in Torrance, California.

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 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 Employer

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.