Joblaze summary

In the role of Head of Ground Integration at K2 Space, the individual will lead a team focused on creating a cohesive ground network that integrates various ground systems for satellite operations. This position requires expertise in software development, particularly in deploying complex hardware and software systems, along with a strong background in classified systems. Ideal candidates will have significant leadership experience and a proven ability to build high-impact engineering teams in fast-paced environments. K2 Space is in a high-growth phase, aiming to revolutionize satellite technology and operations.

Joblaze insights

Listed about a month ago — first seen on Joblaze September 3, 2026. Last confirmed on K2 Space's careers page October 27, 2026.
Salary band is above the typical range for Management roles (median ~$170,000).
Starts above 44% of 54 comparable lead management roles that list Python we track (median $200,000 across 29 companies). See Python salary trends
Python appears in 9.3% of 1208 comparable lead management roles; Docker appears in 1.6% of 1208 comparable lead management roles.

Quick facts

What's the salary range?: K2 Space lists $200,000–$250,000 for this role.
How much experience is required?: At least 8 years of relevant experience for this Head of Ground Integration, Top Secret Clearance role.
What's the tech stack?: Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: C#.NET, CI/CD, Docker, Go, Java, Kubernetes.
What seniority level is this role?: K2 Space targets lead candidates for this position.
Is this full-time or contract?: Full-time for this Head of Ground Integration, Top Secret Clearance 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

K2 Space operates constellations spanning commercial, science, and national security missions using a mix of in-house and legacy ground systems. In this role, you will be responsible for leading the team in charge of integrating all of these systems into a cohesive, reliable ground network. The ground systems you and your team build will be capable of bridging the gap between heterogeneous constellations in space and the RF and Optical ground segment that controls them. You will be in charge of directing a multi-pronged strategy to invest in K2 ground infrastructure while also engaging with partners to integrate with legacy and 3rd party ground systems.

You’ll lead a growing organization of engineers, set the technical roadmap, and ensure we’re delivering ground infrastructure that moves as fast as our hardware. You and your team will collaborate closely with the Ground Software Applications and Flight Software teams to drive new integrations that unlock new mission capabilities for our customers in the classified and unclassified domains.

Responsibilities

Define and execute the long-term vision for K2 Space’s end-to-end ground systems integration
Direct and technically lead investment in new in-house ground infrastructure while managing and building relationships with third-party mission partners
Integrate with customer teams to architect new ground systems capable of operating at multiple levels of classification while delivering secure and reliable constellation operations
Build and support a team of capable and experienced ground integration engineers responsible for building the connective tissue between new and legacy ground systems
Ensure teams deliver robust, scalable, and secure systems at startup speed
Represent K2 Space in recruiting, industry events, customer interactions, and strategic partnerships

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, mathematics or a STEM discipline or 3+ years of professional experience in software engineering
8+ years of experience in software development
3+ years of leadership experience at the department or org level
Experience with the deployment and integration of sophisticated hardware and software systems
Proven success building and scaling high-impact engineering teams
Strong track record of delivering enterprise-scale solutions in fast-paced environments
Deep experience with classified systems and their security requirements

Nice to Have

Experience in aerospace, manufacturing, or mission-critical systems
Proficiency in one or more programming languages such as Python, C#.NET, Go, Java, or similar
Familiarity with modern languages (Python, Go, Java, C#, etc.), cloud systems, CI/CD, and container orchestration (Docker/Kubernetes).
A track record of fostering team culture, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Understanding of existing system architectures that support ground and orbital systems contributing to government and commercial space systems

Compensation and Benefits:

Base salary range for this role is $200,000 - $250,000 + 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.

Head of Ground Integration, Top Secret Clearance

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