Senior Network Integration Engineer, Top Secret Clearance

K2 Space; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision

Job summary

K2 Space is hiring a Senior Network Integration Engineer to lead the integration of end-to-end ground systems across multiple constellations and classifications. You will bridge heterogeneous ground networks with RF/Optical segments, collaborating with ground software and flight teams to enable new mission capabilities for classified and unclassified domains.

Ideal candidates bring 5+ years in network integration, strong cloud and API expertise, and a track record of scaling engineering teams in

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, mathematics or a STEM discipline or 8+ years of professional experience in software engineering.
• Experience with deployment and integration of hardware/software systems.
• Strong track record delivering enterprise-scale solutions in fast-paced environments.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and API technologies (REST, gRPC, WSDL/SOAP).
• Proven success building and scaling high-impact engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the long-term vision for end-to-end ground systems integration, focusing on network protocols and connections.
• Drive integration between in-house and external vendor systems while supporting business development.
• Architect and implement a secure, multi-level classification ground network integration.
• Lead a team of ground integration engineers to connect new and legacy ground systems.
• Ensure scalable, robust, and secure systems enabling fast startup velocity.

Skills

Network systems integration

Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)

APIs (REST, gRPC, SOAP)

Programming languages (C#.NET, Go,Java

Leadership / team-building

Security / classified systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/IT/Math or STEM OR 8+ years experience

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Senior Network Integration Engineer, Top Secret Clearance

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

K2 Spaceoperatesconstellations spanning commercial, science, and national security missions using a mix of in-house and legacy ground systems. In this role, you will be a key part of the team supporting integratingall systems into a cohesive, reliable ground network. The ground systems you and your team build will be capable of bridging the gap between heterogeneous constellations in space and the RF and Optical ground segment that controls them. You willbe instrumental ina multi-pronged strategy to invest in K2 ground infrastructure while also engaging with partners to integrate with legacy and 3rdparty ground systems.

You’llbe part of a growing organization of engineers, set the integration roadmap, and ensurewe’redelivering ground infrastructure that moves as fast as our hardware. You and your team will collaborate closely with the Ground Software Applications and Flight Software teams to drive new integrations that unlock new mission capabilities for our customers in the classified and unclassified domains.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the long-termvision for K2 Space’s end to end ground systems integration, focusing on network protocols and connections
• Drive integration implementation between in-house ground systems and external vendor systems while supporting the business development team
• Integrate with customer teams to architect consistent ground network integration architecture capable of operating at multiple levels of classification while delivering secure and reliable constellation operations
• Build and support a team of capable and experienced ground integration engineers responsible for building the connective tissue between new and legacy ground systems
• Ensure teams deliver robust, scalable, and secure systems at startup speed
• Understanding of existing systems architectures that support ground and orbital systems contributing to government and commercial space systems

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, mathematics or a STEM discipline or 8+ years of professional experience in software engineering
• 5+ years of network system integration experience at the department or org level
• Experience with the deployment and integration of sophisticated hardware and software systems
• Proven success building and scaling high-impact engineering teams
• Strongtrack recordof delivering enterprise-scale solutions in fast-paced environments
• Strong working knowledge with multiple cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP
• Strong working knowledge with multiple API technologies (REST, gRPC, WSDL/SOAP)
• Strong proficiencyin one or more strongly typed programming languages such as C#.NET, Go, Java, or similar.
• Deep experience with classified systems and their security requirements

Nice to Have

• Experience in aerospace, manufacturing, or mission-critical systems
• Familiarity with cloud systems, CI/CD, and container orchestration (Docker/Kubernetes).
• A track recordof fostering team culture, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Deep empathy for the challenges that business development teams and associated engineering teams must solve and be able to help in prioritization

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary range for this role is $160,000 - $200,000 + 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

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.

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A “disabled veteran” is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

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• Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
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• Cancer (past or present)
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• Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
• Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
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• Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
• Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
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• Traumatic brain injury

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