Joblaze summary

In the role of Principal Integration & Test Engineer at K2 Space, the individual will oversee the integration and testing processes for advanced satellite systems, ensuring their readiness for launch. This position requires expertise in spacecraft testing, including environmental assessments and system acceptance, along with strong skills in conflict resolution and stakeholder management. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in aerospace engineering and a background in testing and troubleshooting spacecraft components. K2 Space is focused on developing a fully autonomous satellite constellation, making this a pivotal role in a rapidly growing company.

Joblaze insights

Listed about a month ago — first seen on Joblaze September 3, 2026. Last confirmed on K2 Space's careers page October 29, 2026.
Salary band is above the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$128,000).
Starts above 19% of 43 comparable principal other roles that list Python we track (median $190,000 across 10 companies). See Python salary trends
Python appears in 18.7% of 343 comparable principal other roles; Linux appears in 2.3% of 343 comparable principal other roles.

Quick facts

What's the salary range?: K2 Space lists $175,000–$200,000 for this role.
How much experience is required?: At least 8 years of relevant experience for this Principal Integration & Test Engineer role.
What's the tech stack?: Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: Linux, Python, Rust.
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 Integration & Test 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

As a Principal Integration & Test Engineer, you will help hone K2’s approach to subscale and full vehicle production, qualification testing, and operation. Your work will span most technical disciplines at the company and will require building consensus from disparate stakeholders. You will be asked to help mentors others while serving as a critical driver for on-time delivery and mitigating mission risk. Our goal is to develop a fully autonomous constellation and that starts on the ground. You’ll be the driver of constellation-level control to realize this goal.

Responsibilities

Develop company-wide standards for vehicle test (manual and automated) used to confirm spacecraft hardware and software flightworthiness

Operate spacecraft (interpret telemetry, send commands) during system tests at the factory, test facilities, launch sites, and during pre-launch operations

Act as a test conductor (and sometimes POC) for environmental test campaigns

Mentor more junior members of the team

Interface with customers to scope testing performed on their payloads, based on expected functions and failure modes of interest

Manage relationships with launch vehicle providers, including contractual deliverables such as interface control documents and environmental test plan justifications

Lead high-visibility (proto)qualification campaigns for development and flight hardware

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

8+ years of experience in an integration/test/automation engineering role

5+ years of experience testing and troubleshooting spacecraft and their related components and systems, including subsystem checkouts and system acceptance testing

Experience with environmental testing, such as thermal vacuum or random vibration

Experience working in a clean room and with ESD-sensitive equipment

Hands-on experience using electrical test equipment (PSU, Oscilloscope, DMM, etc.)

Hands-on experience with HITL/HWIL or Flatsat software verification testbeds

Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills

Nice to Have

Proficient in Python and/or Rust

Experience with Linux systems

Experience managing contractual interfaces (e.g. customer, launch vehicle)

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary range for this role is $175,000 - $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.

Principal Integration & Test Engineer

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