Joblaze summary

In this role, the GNC Engineer focuses on the navigation and sensing systems of K2's spacecraft, ensuring accurate positioning and orientation through both hardware and software integration. Key skills include expertise in estimation algorithms, sensor fusion, and hands-on experience with navigation hardware, alongside proficiency in programming languages like Python and C++. This position is ideal for someone with a master's degree and at least two years of relevant experience in spacecraft navigation or sensor engineering, particularly suited for those looking to contribute to a rapidly growing aerospace company.

Joblaze insights

Listed today — first seen on Joblaze November 6, 2026. Last confirmed on K2 Space's careers page November 6, 2026.
Salary band is below the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$128,000).
Starts above 49% of 352 comparable mid other roles in United States that list Python we track (median $110,000 across 62 companies). See Python salary trends
Python appears in 18% of 3393 comparable mid other roles in United States; GNSS appears in 0.1% of 3393 comparable mid other roles in United States.

Quick facts

What's the salary range?: K2 Space lists $110,000–$200,000 for this role.
How much experience is required?: At least 2 years of relevant experience for this GNC Engineer - Navigation Sensors and Algorithms role.
What's the tech stack?: Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: C++, GNSS, IMU, Julia, Python, Rust.
What seniority level is this role?: K2 Space targets mid-level candidates for this position.
Is this full-time or contract?: Full-time for this GNC Engineer - Navigation Sensors and Algorithms role at K2 Space.

From the original posting

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 Role

You will own the navigation and sensing chain that tells K2 spacecraft where they are, how they are oriented, from the physical sensor hardware all the way to the estimation algorithms and flight software executing those algorithms. This is a blend of a hands-on hardware and software role, requiring you to be the GNC point of contact with Avionics, flight software, and Test teams. In the first 6 months, you will help to design and characterize the software driver for the GNSS receivers, standing up develop testing to validate GNSS performance and link budgets as a function of altitude, and feeding these learnings back into both hardware and on board filter design. In the first year you will support multiple K2 launches of the stacked configuration, supporting operations as the GNC point of contact.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and verify onboard estimation algorithms for orbit and attitude determination (EKF/MEKF/UKF, batch estimators, sensor fusion)

Develop high-altitude GNSS navigation capability for MEO and GEO, including sidelobe and weak-signal tracking, receiver selection, and onboard orbit filtering

Improve measurement and system timing accuracy from sensor output to GNC ingestion, ensuring low-latency and low-jitter navigation

Develop and run GNC sensor calibration on the ground and on orbit.

Select, specify, and integrate navigation sensors (GNSS receivers, IMUs, magnetometers, star trackers) in fault tolerant architectures to support robust next generation capabilities

Build sensor models and estimation components in our simulation framework, and bring algorithms from prototype into production flight software

Support on-orbit commissioning and navigation performance analysis during mission operations

Defining pass/fail performance criteria for GNC hardware during acceptance testing and supporting investigation of out-of-spec hardware

Shape the future of the GNC team by recruiting, interviewing, and mentoring engineers

Qualifications

Master’s degree or higher in aerospace, electrical, or mechanical engineering, physics, or a related field

2+ years of experience in navigation, estimation, or sensor engineering for spacecraft.

Strong grasp of estimation theory, with hands-on experience implementing filters for real time systems

Hands-on experience with navigation hardware in the lab

Experience with Python, Julia, C/C++, or Rust for algorithm development, implementation, hardware test, and simulation

Nice to Have

Experience with early-stage spacecraft conceptual design, i.e. “clean sheet” design work

Previous experience with high altitude/cis-lunar GNSS architectures

Knowledge of GNSS link budgets and antenna pattern modeling

Experience with optics, such as star trackers, cameras, and optical navigation

Ability to characterize inertial sensors through Allan variance and PSD analysis to motivate both simulation and flight software development.

Experience with magnetometer calibration and bias compensation - design and operation of Helmholtz cage and zero gauss chamber.

Hands-on experience with GNSS simulators, attenuators, LNAs, and Spectrum Analyzer.

Experience with vehicle level polarity and run-for-record testing.

Basic power electronics and serial protocol + ethernet knowledge

Avionics radiation basics (transient and dose effects), how they manifest, and FDIR strategies at the hardware and software layer to mitigate these behaviors.

Exposure to environmental testing (SMC-S-016 and/or HALT/HASS) to facilitate root-cause-analysis investigations during acceptance/qualification testing of GNC components.

Compensation and Benefits:

Base salary range for this role is $110,000 - $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

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!

Standard company text repeated across K2 Space's postings is omitted here.

GNC Engineer - Navigation Sensors and Algorithms

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