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Principal Vehicle & Mission Operations Engineer

K2 Space· Satellite Platform
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Los Angeles, CA$180k - $210kNot specifiedPosted 7mo ago

About the role

Senior role leading the development and execution of mission operations for K2’s high-power satellite program, from first mission definition to constellation-scale operations and beyond.

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
  • 10+ years of experience in an operations/integration/automation engineering role including 4 years of direct experience operating satellites on-orbit
  • 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 concept developmentTelemetry and commandSystems collaborationGround segment toolingOn-orbit operationsTelemetry interpretationCustomer interactionRisk assessment and test optimization

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks
Last updated Sep 30, 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.

SatellitesSpacecraftLEOMEOGEOSatellite Power
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