Build modeling and simulation capabilities for national security missions at a high-growth satellite company.
Posted by employer 2 days ago
First seen on Joblaze 1 day ago
Last verified on the company career page 1 day ago
What you'll build
- Develop mission-level modeling and simulation
- Model and analyze constellation-level capability
- Create and maintain simulation software infrastructure
- Perform data analysis and anomaly investigation
- Support integration and testing of spacecraft subsystems
Must have
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- Prior experience working on classified national security programs
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM field
- 5+ years of professional modeling and simulation experience
- Development experience in Rust, C++, or similar compiled language
Nice to have
- Master's or PhD in a STEM field
- Experience with mission-level modeling and simulation for defense
- Experience working in Rust production environments
- Experience with Monte Carlo simulations
- Basic knowledge of electronics, Linux, and computer architecture
Practical constraints
- Work is performed on-site in a secure environment
- Requires an active TS/SCI clearance and US citizenship
Requirements
- Experience
- 5+ years
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
Not disclosed in this posting: visa sponsorship.
Benefits
Joblaze summary
In this role, the Senior Modeling & Simulation Engineer at K2 Space focuses on developing and verifying simulation capabilities for spacecraft designed for national security missions. The position requires expertise in modeling software, particularly in languages like Rust and C++, along with a strong background in physics or engineering. Ideal candidates will have over five years of experience in classified environments and a proven ability to lead complex projects while mentoring junior engineers. K2 Space is rapidly scaling its satellite production, making this a pivotal role in a high-growth company.
Joblaze insights
- Listed yesterday on Joblaze — tracked directly from K2 Space's career page.
- K2 Space has 222 other open roles including Senior Platform Engineer (DevX) , Principal Tooling Engineer, Simulation Software Engineering Intern - Summer 2027.
- 6527 active Python roles on Joblaze right now.
- 1661 active C++ roles on Joblaze right now.
- 768 active Rust roles on Joblaze right now.
- Salary band is above the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$126,887).
- Pays more than 49% of the 3228 salaried Python roles we track (median $160,000). See Python salary trends
Quick facts
- Is the Senior Modeling & Simulation Engineer: National Security Missions role remote?
- No — this is an on-site role in Los Angeles, CA, United States.
- What's the salary range?
- K2 Space lists $160,000–$200,000 for this role.
- How much experience is required?
- At least 5 years of relevant experience for this Senior Modeling & Simulation Engineer: National Security Missions role.
- Where is the role based?
- K2 Space is hiring for this position in Los Angeles, CA, United States.
- What's the tech stack?
- Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: C++, Julia, MATLAB, Numpy, Python, Rust.
- What seniority level is this role?
- K2 Space targets senior candidates for this position.
- Is this full-time or contract?
- Full-time for this Senior Modeling & Simulation Engineer: National Security Missions 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 rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and tomorrow's massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.
With multiple launches in 2027 and plans to scale to 100 satellites a year, we're Building Bigger — helping develop the solar system and build toward a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a high-growth Series D-funded company, we'd love for you to apply.
The Role
You will build the modeling and simulation capabilities that let us design, verify, and operate spacecraft for demanding national security missions. You will simulate and verify the software that flies and orchestrates some of the largest satellites ever flown, and model how those systems perform against real mission objectives, threats, and operational constraints. As a senior member of the team, you will drive solutions end-to-end across the software stack, make changes to vehicle control software where needed, set technical direction, and mentor other engineers.
In your first 3 months you will generalize our simulation tools to operate in classified contexts, modeling multiple spacecraft and mission profiles, demonstrating robust performance in contested and demanding environments. In your first 6 months you will design many-agent, mission-level simulations and tools for operating entire constellations, directly informing mission assurance and critical company and program decisions.
This role supports classified national security programs. Work is performed on-site in a secure environment and requires an active TS/SCI clearance and US citizenship.
Responsibilities
- Develop mission-level modeling and simulation of national security space missions, capturing operational objectives, environments, and constraints.
- Model and analyze constellation-level capability and performance against mission requirements, including network coverage, beam planning, and resilience in contested environments.
- Support work on classified programs in accordance with all applicable security requirements.
- Create and maintain simulation software infrastructure for our 20kW+ spacecraft.
- Develop physics-based software models of spacecraft subsystems, including propulsion, attitude control, power, and communications systems.
- Create and utilize robust tools to allow for rapid deployment of quality code.
- Perform data analysis and anomaly investigation to identify and resolve on-orbit problems.
- Support integration and testing of spacecraft subsystems.
- Set technical direction, review designs and code, and mentor junior engineers.
Qualifications
- Active TS/SCI clearance, or a TS/SCI held within the last 12 months, and US citizenship.
- Prior experience working on classified national security programs and in secure/SCIF environments, including familiarity with handling classified information and program security protocols.
- Bachelor's degree in physics, aerospace/mechanical/electrical engineering, computer science, math, or a STEM field
- 5+ years of professional modeling and simulation experience.
- Development experience in Rust, C++, or similar compiled language.
- Experience using scientific Python (NumPy, SciPy, etc.), Julia, MATLAB, or similar.
- Demonstrated ability to own complex systems end-to-end and guide the work of other engineers.
Nice to Have
- Master's or PhD in physics, aerospace/mechanical/electrical engineering, computer science, math, or a STEM field.
- Experience with mission-level or campaign-level modeling and simulation for defense or national security applications.
- Facility communicating intuition and expertise effectively to stakeholders.
- Experience working in Rust production environments.
- Experience defining and creating simulation systems.
- Experience with Monte Carlo simulations and probability/statistics.
- Experience with linear algebra, controls, and/or orbital mechanics.
- Experience with space communication modeling (RF, ground stations).
- Basic knowledge of electronics, Linux, and computer architecture.
- Experience with continuous integration and continuous delivery systems.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Base salary range for this role is $160,000 - $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!
If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.
Export Compliance
As defined in the ITAR, “U.S. Persons” include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a “U.S. Person.”
The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.
Equal Opportunity
K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.