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Senior Vehicle & Mission Operations Engineer

K2 Space· Satellite Platform
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Los Angeles, CA$140k - $180kfull-timePosted 10mo ago

About the role

Senior role focused on defining and executing Mission Operations for the first K2 satellite mission, evolving playbooks to multi-satellite operations and constellation control, with hands-on testing and real-time decision-making across the full mission lifecycle.

Responsibilities

  • Define and operationalize our 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 (interpret telemetry, send commands) 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, based on expected functions and failure modes of interest
  • Assess risks associated with different integration and test approaches, justify test reductions and optimize vehicle build/test flows for at-rate production

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical, aerospace, mechanical, computer, or other relevant engineering discipline
  • 1+ years of operating satellites on-orbit
  • 5+ years of experience in an operations/integration/automation engineering role
  • Experience testing and troubleshooting spacecraft and their related components and systems, including subsystem checkouts and system acceptance testing
  • Familiarity with mission operations concepts such as LEOP, telemetry, commanding, fault protection, and anomaly resolution
  • Experience building or contributing to custom tooling for telemetry, analysis, data pipelines, or operational dashboards
  • Background in designing or scaling operational architectures for fleets or constellations
  • Experience with scripting or automation tools (e.g. Python, Rust)
  • Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills

Skills

Required:Mission Operations conceptsTelemetry analysisGround segment toolingScripting/automationSystems coordination

Benefits

  • Base salary range for this role is $140,000 - $180,000 + equity in the company
  • Salary will be based on several factors including 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
Last updated Oct 14, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About K2 Space

Build Bigger

Building the largest satellites in orbit. Ultra-powerful, scalable platforms engineered for LEO–cislunar missions. Explore the next-generation of satellites.

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