Senior Mission Payload Engineer (Commercial)

K2 Space Corporation; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

K2 Space Corporation in Los Angeles seeks a Senior Mission Payload Engineer to lead payload integration across the full satellite lifecycle and to act as the main technical interface between K2 Space, customers, and partners.

You will collaborate with program managers and engineering disciplines to define payload interfaces and develop test plans ensuring mission success. Strong project management and hands‑on aerospace experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 4+ years of experience in aerospace/space industry, working with spacecraft, launch vehicles, airborne systems, or payloads.
• 2+ years of technical project management and/or systems engineering experience.
• Hands‑on experience with developing, integrating and testing launch vehicles, spacecraft, or other aerospace systems.
• Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, software, and power interfaces for satellite payloads.

Responsibilities

• Manage payload integration across the full satellite lifecycle. Support initial proposals, design, development, integration, testing, launch and on‑orbit commissioning.
• Serve as the primary customer interface for payload integration. Lead technical discussions, represent K2 Space in design reviews, and ensure customer requirements are understood and met.
• Develop, maintain, and negotiate payload interface documentation. Define mechanical, electrical, software, power, and mission interfaces, ensuring clear technical alignment between payload and bus teams.
• Create and execute payload interface verification and validation plans. Develop testing strategies to ensure compliance with mission and interface requirements and oversee final sell‑off with internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate cross‑functional integration efforts. Work closely with vehicle engineering, avionics, software, propulsion, thermal, and AI&T teams to ensure seamless payload integration.

Skills

Aerospace experience

Project management

Systems engineering

Payload interfaces

Hands-on testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

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 additional $500M in signed contracts, we’re mass‑producing the highest‑power satellite platforms for missions from LEO to deep space.

The Role

As a Senior Mission Payload Engineer within Commercial Programs, you’ll serve as the primary technical interface between K2 Space, customers, and partners as we integrate advanced payload capabilities onto K2’s satellite bus platform. You’ll support the entire program lifecycle – from early proposal phases through spacecraft design, development, integration, test, and on‑orbit operations.

In this role, you will work closely with Program Managers and key engineering disciplines to define and negotiate payload interfaces (mechanical, data and software, power, mission, etc.) and develop integration and test plans that ensure successful mission execution. You will also represent K2 Space in critical customer engagements, design reviews, and verification milestones.

Responsibilities

• Manage payload integration across the full satellite lifecycle. Support initial proposals, design, development, integration, testing, launch and on‑orbit commissioning.
• Serve as the primary customer interface for payload integration. Lead technical discussions, represent K2 Space in design reviews, and ensure customer requirements are understood and met.
• Develop, maintain, and negotiate payload interface control documentation. Define mechanical, electrical, software, power, and mission interfaces, ensuring clear technical alignment between payload and bus teams.
• Create and execute payload interface verification and validation plans. Develop testing strategies to ensure compliance with mission and interface requirements and oversee final sell‑off with internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate cross‑functional integration efforts. Work closely with vehicle engineering, avionics, software, propulsion, thermal, and AI&T teams to ensure seamless payload integration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 4+ years of experience working in the aerospace or space industry, working with spacecraft, launch vehicles, airborne systems, or payloads.
• 2+ years of technical project management and/or systems engineering experience.
• Hands‑on experience with developing, integrating and testing launch vehicles, spacecraft, or other aerospace systems.
• Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, software, and power interfaces for satellite payloads.

Nice to Have

• Master’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• Experience working directly with commercial customers.
• 8+ years of experience working in the aerospace or space industry, working with spacecraft, launch vehicles, airborne systems, or payloads.
• Hands‑on spacecraft integration and test experience, including environmental testing, verification and troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and deliver results across multiple parallel priorities.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to work collaboratively in high‑performing teams.

Compensation And Benefits

• Base salary range for this role is $135,000 - $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.

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 be 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.