Joblaze summary

In this role, the Principal Vehicle & Mission Operations Engineer at K2 Space will engage directly with satellite-level test campaigns and help define operational strategies for upcoming missions. The position requires a strong background in operations and integration engineering, with at least a decade of experience, including hands-on satellite operations. This role is ideal for seasoned professionals who thrive in dynamic environments and are eager to contribute to the development of advanced satellite constellations. K2 Space is positioned for rapid growth, with ambitious plans for scaling satellite production.

Joblaze insights

Listed about 2 months ago — first seen on Joblaze September 3, 2026. Last confirmed on K2 Space's careers page November 10, 2026.
Salary band is above the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$127,500).
Starts above 32% of 37 comparable principal other roles that list Python we track (median $190,000 across 9 companies). See Python salary trends
Python appears in 15.4% of 358 comparable principal other roles; Rust appears in 3.1% of 358 comparable principal other roles.

Quick facts

What's the salary range?: K2 Space lists $180,000–$210,000 for this role.
How much experience is required?: At least 10 years of relevant experience for this Principal Vehicle & Mission Operations Engineer role.
What's the tech stack?: Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: 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 Vehicle & Mission Operations 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

From day one, you’ll be hands-on with our integrated satellite-level test campaign, diving deep into the K2 bus and laying the foundation for what comes next. Within your first few months, you’ll help define how we operate our first mission – shaping the tools, systems, and philosophy behind Mission Operations. As we move toward launch, you’ll be at the heart of it all.

Over the following year, your impact will grow: evolving our playbook from that first mission, scaling it to support multi-satellite operations, and ultimately pioneering the systems needed for full constellation control. The path to operating dozens—or hundreds—of satellites will be yours to help chart. The success of our constellations will depend on the foundations you help build.

Responsibilities

Define and operationalize our Mission operations concept for the first satellite mission, including procedures, tools, and real-time support systems

Develop telemetry monitoring strategies, fault response frameworks, and command plans for pre-launch, LEOP, and nominal operations

Collaborate closely with systems, software, and hardware teams to ensure operational readiness across all spacecraft subsystems

Drive the roadmap for mission operations tooling, ground segment workflows, and long-term constellation management

Serve as a key operator during on-orbit operations, responsible for real-time decision-making and coordination

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

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

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

10+ years of experience in an operations/integration/automation engineering role including 4 years of direct experience operating satellites on-orbit

Experience testing and troubleshooting spacecraft and their related components and systems, including subsystem checkouts and system acceptance testing

Familiarity with mission operations concepts such as LEOP, telemetry, commanding, fault protection, and anomaly resolution

Experience building or contributing to custom tooling for telemetry, analysis, data pipelines, or operational dashboards

Background in designing or scaling operational architectures for fleets or constellations

Experience with scripting or automation tools (e.g. Python, Rust)

Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills

Nice to Have

Hands-on experience with HITL or Flatsat software verification testbeds

Experience working with GAaaS providers.

Experience with Linux systems

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

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary range for this role is $180,000 - $210,000 + 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 Vehicle & Mission Operations Engineer

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