Principal Vehicle & Mission Operations Engineer

Responsibilities

• Define and operationalize Mission operations concept for the first satellite mission, including procedures, tools, and real-time support systems
• Develop telemetry monitoring strategies, fault response frameworks, and command plans for pre-launch, LEOP, and nominal operations
• Collaborate closely with systems, software, and hardware teams to ensure operational readiness across all spacecraft subsystems
• Drive the roadmap for mission operations tooling, ground segment workflows, and long-term constellation management
• Serve as a key operator during on-orbit operations, responsible for real-time decision-making and coordination
• Operate spacecraft during system tests at the factory, test facilities, launch sites, and during pre-launch operations
• Interface with customers to scope testing performed on their payloads
• Assess risks associated with integration and test approaches and optimize vehicle build/test flows

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, aerospace, mechanical, computer, or other relevant engineering discipline
• 10+ years of experience in an operations, integration, or automation engineering role
• 4+ years of direct experience operating satellites on-orbit
• Experience testing and troubleshooting spacecraft and related components
• Familiarity with mission operations concepts (LEOP, telemetry, commanding, fault protection)
• Experience building custom tooling for telemetry, analysis, or data pipelines
• Background in designing or scaling operational architectures for fleets or constellations
• Proficiency with scripting or automation tools like Python or Rust

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with HITL or Flatsat software verification testbeds
• Experience working with GAaaS providers
• Experience with Linux systems
• Experience managing contractual interfaces

About the Company

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by leading investors, K2 is mass-producing high-power satellite platforms for missions from LEO to deep space.