Joblaze summary

In this role, the GNC Engineer focuses on developing and optimizing trajectory and guidance systems for K2 Space's advanced spacecraft, including low-thrust trajectory design and mission planning. Key skills include expertise in orbit determination, algorithm development, and 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, particularly in low-thrust trajectory design and spacecraft operations. K2 Space is in a high-growth phase, aiming to scale its satellite production significantly.

Joblaze insights

Listed 2 days ago — first seen on Joblaze November 6, 2026. Last confirmed on K2 Space's careers page November 8, 2026.
Salary band is in line with the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$127,000).
Starts above 59% of 357 comparable mid other roles in United States that list Python we track (median $110,000 across 63 companies). See Python salary trends
Python appears in 17.8% of 3490 comparable mid other roles in United States; C/C++ appears in 1% of 3490 comparable mid other roles in United States.

Quick facts

What's the salary range?: K2 Space lists $120,000–$200,000 for this role.
How much experience is required?: At least 2 years of relevant experience for this GNC Engineer - Trajectory Design and Guidance Engineer role.
What's the tech stack?: Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: C/C++, 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 - Trajectory Design and Guidance Engineer 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 be the core driver of the spacecraft’s orbital and guidance systems – including low thrust trajectory optimization and mission planning, while executing detailed trade studies to find new and novel ways to implement these strategies, and supporting business development in mission planning and constellation design.

In the first 3 months, you will own and execute the development of the K2 trajectory optimization tooling, standing up the software pipeline to take a trajectory, prove optimality, convert to burn plans, and feed into the K2 ground software for autonomous burn execution. In the first 6 months you will develop the trajectory optimization and mission design capabilities to define how, how fast, and on how much fuel K2 can fly the Mega and Giga spacecraft from LEO to MEO, GTO to cislunar, from launch to a Mars capture orbit. In the first 6 months you will design and implement the core GNC algorithms that fly the spacecraft, with a particular focus on algorithms for on orbit station keeping and low thrust orbit raise. In the first year, you will support on orbit operations of multiple K2 spacecraft flying multiple different K2 developed trajectories.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with other engineers to develop a novel high level vehicle mission plan

Develop novel algorithms for precise OD and station-keeping of very large structures in earth orbit and beyond

Leveraging one of the largest Hall Effect Thrusters ever manufactured, design the low thrust trajectory for the vehicle to reach MEO, GEO, Cis-Lunar, and Mars.

Develop simulation and modeling tools to support vehicle and GNC trade studies

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

Qualifications

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

2+ years of experience in low-thrust trajectory design

Hands-on work with precise orbit determination

Track record implementing orbit guidance and control algorithms on a spacecraft

Mission design expertise for both Earth-centric and interplanetary missions

Proficiency in Python, Julia, C/C++, or Rust for algorithm development, implementation, and simulation

Nice to Have

Early-stage spacecraft conceptual design (“clean sheet” design work)

Low-thrust station-keeping algorithm development

Thruster sizing and algorithm implementation

Contributions to developing a satellite constellation

On-orbit satellite operations

6-DOF simulation development

Compensation and Benefits:

Base salary range for this role is $120,000 - $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 - Trajectory Design and Guidance Engineer

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