Senior Photonic Systems Engineer

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.