Avionics Test Engineer, Optical
K2 Space
Quality Assurance
Los Angeles, CA, USA
USD 100k-150k / year + Equity
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 including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others – with an additional $500M 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 planned through 2026 and 2027, we're 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 the success of a groundbreaking Series C space startup, we’d love for you to apply.
The Role
K2’s plan doesn't stop at satellite buses. Operating our own vehicles and manifesting regular rides to space uniquely positions K2 to design, test, and deploy-at-scale ambitious optical payloads in MEO, GEO, cis-lunar, and deep space on unprecedented timelines. The satellite bus is the platform – the payloads are the mission.
As an Optical Avionics Test Engineer, you will be pivotal in developing production test hardware and software to deliver optical avionics through ATP and QTP. You will be working alongside the Optical team to interface with ambitious optical payloads, validate prototype designs, define test requirements, and design test infrastructure to meet critical programmatic milestones such as delivery of flight hardware to vehicle integration. In your first year, you will lead multidisciplinary test campaigns, root cause investigations, and production improvements to ensure reliability and scalability.
Responsibilities
- Design and fabricate test hardware, harnessing, and test systems to support optical payload development testing
- Develop modular, reusable test automation software and drivers in Python, Rust, C++ for Linux platforms
- Execute development and production tests to meet internal and external customer needs
- Develop data acquisition, control, and instrumentation systems to test at the integrated level
- Own the project management of multiple test assets and acceptance testing of optical avionics including upgrades to support hardware lifecycle
- Design device simulators deployed across component subsystem and HITL testbeds
- Collaborate with a cross-functional team to establish product requirements, testing methods, and project test schedules
- Design and build optical tables with automated active alignment for high-rate optical testing
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical, computer, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline or any equivalent combination of education and experience
- 2+ years of experience with test hardware design and software scripting
- Strong programming abilities (Python, C++, or Rust)
- Experience designing, building, and testing electrical assemblies and test fixtures
Nice to Have
- Experience with design and testing of optical systems
- Experience with camera automation and quantitative image processing (ex. beam profiling), power meters, and laser interlocks.
- Experience with data acquisition, controls, and dedicated test equipment
- Familiarity with SMC-S-016 or MIL-STD-810 testing methods, including vibration, shock, and thermal testing
- Understanding of the failure modes of electrical and optical systems in space environments
- Demonstrated ability to own electrical or optical hardware test systems within an integrated engineering team
- Creative problem solver that can balance schedule, resource, and technical constraints
Compensation and Benefits:
- Base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $150,000 + 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 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.
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.
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.
