July 4, 2026
Technical Writer
Senior • On-site
99,996 - 140,004 USD/yr
Los Angeles, CA
K2 is building high-power satellite platforms for missions ranging from LEO to deep space, with multiple launches planned through 2026 and 2027.
The Role
As a Technical Writer, you will support the full business lifecycle — from business development and capture through proposal development and on-contract technical deliverables. You will translate complex spacecraft, payload, and mission engineering concepts into clear, accurate, and persuasive documentation for commercial and US government audiences. Working closely with program managers, mission engineers, and subject-matter experts, you will manage document production under aggressive deadlines and improve written communication across every phase of a program.
Responsibilities
- Write, edit, and produce business development and marketing collateral, white papers, proposals, proposal volumes, and technical deliverables
- Lead proposal writing and coordination, including interpreting RFPs, RFIs, and BAAs
- Build compliant outlines and compliance matrices
- Draft and edit technical and management proposal volumes
- Drive documents to on-time submission
- Distill technical input from engineers, program managers, and SMEs into compelling narratives
- Ensure documentation is accurate, consistent, and delivered on schedule under competing priorities
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in English, communications, journalism, engineering, science, or related field
- 5+ years of professional technical writing experience, ideally in aerospace, defense, or another complex engineering domain
- Demonstrated experience writing and coordinating proposals, including responses to US government solicitations
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to independently produce accurate technical content from rough inputs
- Ability to manage multiple documents and deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced startup environment
Nice to Have
- Experience with spacecraft, satellite, or payload programs
- Familiarity with government contracting vehicles, CDRLs, DIDs, and proposal compliance practices
- Proficiency with graphics and layout tools including Adobe InDesign and Illustrator
- Experience maintaining content libraries, style guides, and documentation templates
- APMP certification or equivalent proposal-management credential
Additional Requirements
- Ability to travel up to 25% of the time
- Active Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance preferred, or willingness to pursue and maintain a clearance
- Ability to work irregular business hours to support proposals or project timelines
Compensation and Benefits
- Base salary range: $100,000 - $140,000 plus equity
- Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and paid parental leave
Export Compliance
The role requires access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including ITAR. Candidates must qualify as a U.S. person under applicable regulations or otherwise be eligible for a federally issued export control license.
Equal Opportunity
Employment decisions are based on merit, competence, and qualifications without discrimination based on legally protected characteristics.
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99,996 - 140,004 USD/yr
🏢 Summary: Engineering role focused on developing, operating, and improving SMT manufacturing equipment and processes for high-reliability satellite hardware production. The position involves hands-on work with automated assembly systems, process optimization, inspection methods, and production support in a fast-paced aerospace manufacturing environment. 🗂️ Requirements: Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace, materials, or related engineering discipline, 2+ years of experience in high-volume manufacturing, production, or hands-on engineering, Hands-on experience working with production hardware, Experience with precision assembly or electromechanical integration, Ability to read engineering drawings, schematics, and technical documentation, Experience setting up manufacturing or production floors for first article builds, Ability to stand for extended periods, Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs unassisted, Eligibility to access ITAR-controlled information 📃 Skills: SMT, SPI, AOI, X-ray, MES, PCB, Reflow, Soldering, Oscilloscopes, Multimeter, Calipers, SPC, ITAR, Schematics, Crimping 🏢 Description: K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by significant investor funding and signed contracts across commercial and US government customers, the company is mass-producing high-power satellite platforms for missions from LEO to deep space. The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from mass constraint to mass abundance, requiring a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. K2 satellites are engineered to survive harsh radiation environments and capitalize on massive rockets, delivering high capability at constellation scale across multiple orbits. With multiple launches planned through 2026 and 2027, the team is focused on scaling spacecraft manufacturing and development. The Role You'll be at the heart of bringing flight hardware to life. You will own Surface Mount Technology (SMT) equipment and processes, working closely with production teams to support development and production of the K2 Mega-class satellite. You will shape build processes and solve hands-on manufacturing challenges in real time, directly impacting the performance and reliability of hardware destined for space. This role is designed for someone who learns quickly, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and wants to take ownership early. You'll develop deep technical intuition, contribute to systems that scale, and grow into increasingly complex challenges as production rates increase. Responsibilities - Develop, support, and continuously improve SMT assembly equipment and processes, including pick-and-place machines, reflow ovens, solder paste printers, solder paste inspection (SPI), automated optical inspection (AOI), X-ray, conformal coating systems, epoxy/adhesive dispensers, and lamination equipment - Develop and optimize reflow profiles, stencil designs, and solder paste processes to achieve high first-pass yield on complex, high-reliability assemblies - Program, operate, and troubleshoot automated SMT equipment, including placement programs, feeder setups, and vision/inspection systems - Work closely with Quality and Production teams to maintain build cadence and ensure hardware meets acceptance criteria - Create and maintain work instructions, assembly procedures, process documentation, as-built records, and traceability through the MES - Develop inspection criteria and methods for identifying non-conformances - Develop functional tests of components and assemblies - Monitor process performance, including yield, defect trends, and SPC metrics, and provide process improvement feedback - Support tooling inspection, maintenance, and readiness activities for solar manufacturing operations Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace, materials, or related engineering discipline - 2+ years of experience in high-volume manufacturing, production, or hands-on engineering environment - Strong hands-on aptitude and willingness to work directly with hardware on the production floor - Exposure to precision assembly or electromechanical integration processes - Ability to read engineering drawings, schematics, and technical documentation - Experience setting up a manufacturing or production floor for first article builds Nice to Have - Hand soldering ability and PCB rework experience - Ability to read, review, and redline electrical schematics and mechanical drawings - Experience performing crimping, wire stripping, and continuity testing - Experience using test and measuring tools including digital multimeter, oscilloscopes, and calipers - Experience with potting and epoxies - Strong communication skills with ability to communicate hardware and systems problems Additional Requirements - Must be able to stand for extended periods of time - Must be able to lift and carry parts or equipment up to 50 lbs unassisted Compensation and Benefits - Base salary range: $100,000 – $140,000 plus equity - Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical, dental, vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and additional perks Export Compliance The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including ITAR. The person hired 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 decisions are based on merit, competence, and qualifications without discrimination based on legally protected status.
Technology

K2 Space
Senior Photonic Systems Engineer
Senior
On-site
Los Angeles, CA
110,004 - 279,996 USD/yr
🏢 Summary: Photonic Systems Engineer role focused on architecting, developing, testing, and deploying advanced optical and photonic systems for high-power satellite payloads across multiple space environments. The position involves optical system design, radiation-resilient networking, environmental qualification, vendor leadership, and collaboration with hardware, software, and manufacturing teams. Candidates will contribute to scalable optical payload technologies for missions from LEO to deep space. 🗂️ Requirements: Bachelor's degree in physics, optics, computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or related technical field, 5+ years of experience designing, manufacturing, and testing optical systems, Experience across full optical system product lifecycle, Ability to perform optical system modeling and tolerancing, Experience with environmental qualification and reliability testing, Knowledge of photonic circuit development, Eligibility to access ITAR-controlled information 📃 Skills: Optics, Photonics, FDIR, CONOPS, Networking, Modeling, SNR, Testing, Manufacturing, ITAR, Fiber, Software 🏢 Description: K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by significant funding and signed contracts across commercial and U.S. government customers, the company is mass-producing high-power satellite platforms for missions from LEO to deep space. The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from mass constraint to mass abundance, creating demand for a new class of spacecraft. Engineered for harsh radiation environments and large-scale deployment, K2 satellites are designed for constellation-scale capability across multiple orbits. With multiple launches planned through 2026 and 2027, the company is developing ambitious optical payloads for MEO, GEO, cis-lunar, and deep space missions. The Role K2's plan extends beyond satellite buses by operating its own vehicles and deploying advanced optical payloads at scale. The satellite bus is the platform, while the payloads are the mission. The tasks that a Photonic Systems Engineer would contribute to include: - Architecting, developing, building, and deploying photonic circuits - Space-qualifying COTS transceivers and proposing on-orbit network-level CONOPs and FDIR strategies - Consulting on optical payload software on a limited basis - Advising on intra-satellite networking Responsibilities Responsible for delivering: - System architecture, SNR budget, and system-specific modeling such as stray light and fiber coupling - Detailed optical design and tolerancing - Development plans including risk reduction timeline, division of labor, and test strategy - Environmental qualification and reliability testing - Technical leadership of vendors and external partners, including component qualification, supply-chain development, and transition to volume manufacturing - Laboratory characterization, system-level validation, mission readiness, and on-orbit commissioning plans Additional responsibilities include: - Collaborating with optical and satellite bus teams to determine feasibility and system requirements - Preparing design reviews and communicating expectations to hardware, software, test, and manufacturing teams - Forecasting staffing needs, defining roles, and interviewing candidates - Mentoring engineers in optical system development, reviewing work quality, and providing technical guidance Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in physics, optics, computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field - 5+ years of experience in the design, manufacture, and test of optical systems - Experience designing and deploying optical systems throughout the full product lifecycle including requirements generation, analysis, procurement, build, alignment, testing, deployment, and operations Nice to Have - Familiarity with high-volume manufacturing, design for manufacturability, supply chain management, and productionization of assembly and test processes - Experience conducting experimental research, data analysis, and visualization of complex datasets - Understanding of failure modes of electrical, mechanical, and optical systems in space environments Compensation and Benefits - Base salary range of $110,000 - $280,000 plus equity - Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical, dental, vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and additional perks Export Compliance The role requires access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including ITAR. Candidates must qualify as a U.S. person under applicable regulations or otherwise be eligible for a federally issued export control license. Equal Opportunity Employment decisions are based on merit, competence, and qualifications without discrimination based on legally protected status.
Technology

K2 Space
Software Development Engineer in Test
Mid
On-site
Los Angeles, CA
135,000 - 174,996 USD/yr
🏢 Summary: The role is for a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) embedded within the flight software team, responsible for building and owning automated test frameworks and hardware-in-the-loop infrastructure for high-power satellite systems. The position focuses on enabling reliable, rapid deployment of spacecraft flight software through robust CI/CD integration and end-to-end subsystem test coverage. This is a hands-on engineering role centered on developing scalable test systems for mission-critical space hardware. 🗂️ Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or related STEM field, or equivalent experience, Experience building and maintaining test automation frameworks, Experience with CI/CD systems, Experience with version control using Git, Ability to design and develop automated test infrastructure, U.S. Person status or eligibility for export control license (ITAR compliance) 📃 Skills: Python, Rust, Git, GitLab, GitHub, Jenkins, CI/CD, HIL, SIL, RTOS, Embedded, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, UART, Ethernet, SpaceWire, RS-422, RS-485, Oscilloscopes, JIRA, Shell 🏢 Description: K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by $450M from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others – with an additional $500M 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 planned through 2026 and 2027, we're Building Bigger to develop the solar system and become 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 groundbreaking Series C space startup, we'd love for you to apply. The Role The software team at K2 builds software across the stack, from gateware & micro firmware to high level satellite control to Ground Software and all the associated testing, and we're looking for an SDET who shares our belief that test infrastructure is a first-class engineering discipline. You will be embedded directly within the flight software team, working shoulder-to-shoulder with the engineers writing the code that flies our spacecraft owning the automation frameworks, test tooling, and HIL infrastructure that make rapid, confident software deployment possible. This role is not a QA function. You will be a builder. In your first 6 months, you will design and ship core test automation frameworks and integrate them into our CI/CD pipelines. In your first year, you will own end-to-end test coverage across multiple spacecraft subsystems and lead HIL testing campaigns alongside flight software engineers, proving the software is ready to go to space. In your first two years, you will have operated your test systems against hardware that has been launched to orbit. Responsibilities Design, develop, and own software test frameworks targeting K2's flight software stack, including subsystems for propulsion, GNC, power, thermal, and communications Build and maintain automation tooling that integrates seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines, enabling fast and reliable flight software deployment Develop hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) test infrastructure in close collaboration with flight software engineers Create tooling for test execution, data collection, and anomaly triage that gives engineers clear, actionable signal Reduce flaky and nondeterministic tests; continuously improve coverage, pipeline reliability, and test execution speed Collaborate with flight software, avionics, and systems engineers to define test requirements, write test plans, and execute verification campaigns Analyze test results to identify and characterize failures, and drive resolution across the team Maintain documentation for test infrastructure, procedures, and hardware configurations Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related STEM field, or equivalent professional experience Experience building and maintaining test automation frameworks, not just executing tests written by others Experience with CI/CD systems (e.g., GitLab Pipelines, GitHub Actions, Jenkins) and version control (Git) Nice to Have Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testbeds or embedded systems testing Experience testing avionics, spacecraft, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or other safety-critical hardware Rust programming experience, including embedded or no_std environments Knowledge of real-time operating systems (RTOS) or bare-metal embedded firmware Familiarity with aerospace communication protocols (RS-422/485, Ethernet, UART, SpaceWire, Ethernet) Experience with electronics test equipment: oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power supplies Containerization experience (Docker, Kubernetes) for test environment management Experience with Embedded Linux Familiarity with shell scripting Compensation and Benefits: Base salary range for this role is $135,000 - $175,000 + 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.
Technology

K2 Space
Principal Solar Process Engineer
Senior
On-site
Los Angeles, CA
174,996 - 200,004 USD/yr
🏢 Summary: Senior materials and process engineering role responsible for defining, qualifying, and scaling manufacturing processes for high-power satellite solar array systems. The position owns process development from material selection and characterization through production optimization and qualification in harsh space environments. It focuses on implementing novel material systems and manufacturing methods to enable reliable, high-rate solar array production. 🗂️ Requirements: Bachelor's degree in materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, aerospace engineering, or related technical field, 8+ years of experience in materials and process engineering, Proven experience in material selection, characterization, qualification, and production-scale process development, Demonstrated validation of material and process decisions on flight or high-reliability hardware programs, U.S. Person status or eligibility for export control license (ITAR compliance) 📃 Skills: SEM, EDS, FTIR, DSC, TGA, XRD, Python, MATLAB, SPC, DOE, Sintering, Lamination, Deposition, Coating, Bonding, Composites, Adhesives, Thinfilms, Etching, Radiation, Thermalcycling, Plasma, Statistics, Failureanalysis 🏢 Description: K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by $450M from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others – with an additional $500M 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 planned through 2026 and 2027, we're Building Bigger to develop the solar system and become 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 groundbreaking Series C space startup, we'd love for you to apply. The Role The processes that go into developing K2's solar arrays — from module interconnects and adhesive systems to cover glass coatings and substrate composites — directly determine how much power they produce, how long they last, and how fast we can build them. Getting the process engineering right is not a support function here; it is on the critical path. You will define how K2 selects, qualifies, and scales manufacturing processes for its solar array systems. The operating environments, mission lifetimes, and production rates we are pursuing demand meaningful impact in how our materials are characterized, qualified, and manufactured. You will own the success of implementation of material systems and novel manufacturing processes in the development and scaling of K2's solar array design and production. Responsibilities Responsible for the development, qualification, and production-scale optimization of K2's solar array processes — including solar module interconnects, bonding, sintering, lamination, deposition, coating, bonding, mechanism joints, and surface treatment Research, evaluate, and select conventional and novel processes for solar array applications, driving trades that balance performance, manufacturability, cost, reliability, and schedule Design and execution of structured DOE and statistical analyses to diagnose manufacturing problems and validate corrective actions Use a first-principle, physics-based characterization across production processes to identify sources of variation and opportunities for yield improvement Lead failure analysis, defect characterization, and root causes investigations for process related anomalies Establish and drive corrective action plans back into design requirements and production Own the evaluation, cost/benefit analysis, and selection of manufacturing equipment for all in-house process development Collaborate with the production team to develop process specifications, work instructions, in-process checkouts, and end-of-line tests Define qualification criteria, test envelopes, and characterization campaigns to establish resultant performance across radiation, thermal cycling, mechanical, and plasma environments Partner with solar structures/mechanisms, thermal, avionics, and production teams to define manufacturing process-driven requirements, integrated qualification/acceptance testing, and on-orbit data review Collaborate with leadership on staffing plans, role definitions, and recruiting efforts to ensure the solar array team is appropriately staffed to meet system deliverables Mentor engineers and establish institutional process knowledge and best practices for solar array hardware at production scale Qualifications Bachelor's degree in materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, aerospace engineering, or a related technical discipline 8+ years of experience in materials and process engineering, with demonstrated depth in material selection, characterization, qualification, and production-scale process development Demonstrated track record of material and process decisions that have been validated through flight or equivalent high-reliability hardware programs Nice to Have Master's degree or PhD in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field Prior experience architecting manufacturing processes for solar array systems across the full development lifecycle — requirements definition, trade studies, development testing, qualification, production, and on-orbit data review Hands-on experience across multiple solar array material systems, with variation in cell technology, interconnect methodology, encapsulant chemistry, and system architecture Deep working knowledge of adhesive systems, composites, thin films, thermal interface materials, and coatings as applied to high-power, long-life solar array hardware Working knowledge of AIAA S111/S112, SMC-S-016, NASA-STD-4005, NASA-STD-5017, and NASA-STD-6016 for solar module qualification, materials usage, and spacecraft charging effects Understanding of radiation effects on solar cell and module materials — displacement damage dose modeling, ionizing effects, UV degradation, and atomic oxygen erosion Depth across solar process disciplines including deposition techniques for anti-reflective coatings, chemical etching for bond preparation, encapsulant deposition, methods for corrosion control, outgassing compatibility, descriptive and inferential statistics, and failure analysis. Hands-on proficiency with material characterization tools: SEM, EDS, FTIR, DSC, TGA, XRD, or equivalent Experience scaling manufacturing processes from prototype to high-rate production, including SPC implementation and manufacturing equipment qualification Python or MATLAB proficiency for test data analysis and degradation modeling 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! 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.