Own the technical architecture and design of Type-1 cryptographic integrations for high-power satellites at K2 Space.
Posted by employer 11 hours ago
First seen on Joblaze 1 hour ago
Last verified on the company career page 1 hour ago
Skills & Technologies
What you'll build
- Own the end-to-end technical architecture of Type-1 cryptographic integrations
- Lead crypto designs from concept through implementation
- Design encryption and key management implementations
- Integrate cryptographic functions into flight software and systems
- Produce design documentation and test evidence for certification
Must have
- Bachelor's degree or higher in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a related discipline
- 5+ years of engineering experience designing or integrating cryptographic systems
- Hands-on experience integrating NSA Type-1 cryptographic equipment
Nice to have
- Experience with spacecraft or satellite cryptographic integrations
- Experience with embedded systems or FPGA design
- Familiarity with NSA-approved algorithms and equipment
Practical constraints
- Ability to travel up to 15% of the time
- Active Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance required
Requirements
- Experience
- 5+ years
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
Not disclosed in this posting: work arrangement, visa sponsorship.
Benefits
Joblaze summary
In the role of Principal Crypto Engineer at K2 Space, the individual will oversee the technical architecture and design of Type-1 cryptographic systems for spacecraft and ground segments, guiding projects from initial concept through to implementation and testing. Key skills include experience with NSA Type-1 cryptographic equipment and a strong understanding of systems-level integration across hardware and software. This position is ideal for seasoned engineers with a background in secure communications and a capacity to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment. K2 Space is focused on scaling its satellite production, making this a foundational role in a rapidly growing company.
Joblaze insights
- Listed today — first seen on Joblaze October 21, 2026. Last confirmed on K2 Space's careers page October 21, 2026.
- Salary band is in line with the typical range for Security roles (median ~$170,000).
- Starts above 13% of 23 comparable principal security roles in United States we track (median $220,400 across 12 companies).
- Cryptography appears in 22.6% of 31 comparable principal security roles in United States; Encryption appears in 3.2% of 31 comparable principal security roles in United States.
Quick facts
- What's the salary range?
- K2 Space lists $160,000–$245,000 for this role.
- How much experience is required?
- At least 5 years of relevant experience for this Principal Crypto Engineer (TS//SCI) role.
- What's the tech stack?
- Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: Cryptography, Encryption, FPGA, Flight Software, Key Management, RF.
- What seniority level is this role?
- K2 Space targets principal-level candidates for this position.
- Is this full-time or contract?
- Full-time for this Principal Crypto Engineer (TS//SCI) 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
As K2's Principal Crypto Engineer, reporting to the VP of Satellite Engineering & Operations, you will own the technical architecture and design of our Type-1 cryptographic integrations across the spacecraft, payload, and ground segment. You'll lead these designs from concept and trade studies through implementation, integration, and test. You'll define how K2's satellites protect command, telemetry, and mission data at the hardware and software level, and build it to fit a high-volume satellite production line. You'll work hand-in-hand with our COMSEC Certification Lead on the National Security team, who owns the path to NSA approval. This is a foundational role: you'll set the cryptographic design standards the rest of the program builds against.
Responsibilities
- Own the end-to-end technical architecture of Type-1 cryptographic integrations across the spacecraft, payload, and ground segment
- Lead crypto designs from concept and trade studies through implementation, integration, and test
- Design encryption, key management, and key loading implementations for command, telemetry, and mission data
- Integrate cryptographic functions into flight software, avionics, FPGA, RF, and ground systems in partnership with those teams
- Define hardware and software interfaces between crypto equipment and the broader system architecture
- Produce the design documentation and test evidence needed to support certification, working closely with K2’s COMSEC Certification lead
- Identify and mitigate cryptographic design risks across hardware, software, and RF boundaries
- Establish reusable cryptographic designs, interfaces, and standards that scale across K2's production line
- Support anomaly resolution and troubleshooting for fielded and on-orbit crypto systems
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or higher in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a related discipline
- 5+ years of engineering experience designing or integrating cryptographic systems or secure communications
- Hands-on experience integrating NSA Type-1 cryptographic equipment into a hardware or software system
- Working knowledge of key management and key loading implementations
- Strong systems-level thinking, with the ability to reason from first principles across hardware, software, and RF boundaries
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding startup atmosphere with competing priorities and aggressive schedules
Nice to Have
- Experience with spacecraft, satellite, or other space-system cryptographic integrations
- Experience with embedded systems, FPGA design, or flight software
- Familiarity with cryptographic modernization initiatives and current NSA-approved algorithms and equipment
- Background in RF, link design, or secure command and telemetry systems
- Exposure to NSA certification processes
Additional Requirements
- Ability to travel up to 15% of the time
- Active Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance required; ability to obtain and maintain access to additional programs as needed
- Ability to work irregular business hours to support critical project timelines or operations
Compensation and Benefits
- Base salary range for this role is $160,000 - $245,000 + 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.