K2 Space
Principal Mission Payload Engineer
$175K–$230K
Los Angeles, CA +1 · Principal · Full-time · Posted Aug 28, 2026
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles - Experience
- 5+ years in aerospace or space; 2+ years in technical project management and/or systems engineering. 10+ years is listed as preferred.
- Education
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
- Visa sponsorship
- Must be a “U.S. person” under ITAR or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.
About the job
Serves as the primary technical and customer interface for integrating payloads with K2 Space’s satellite bus, supporting missions from proposals through on-orbit operations.
What you'll do
- Manage payload integration across the satellite lifecycle and coordinate cross-functional engineering teams.
- Lead customer technical discussions; define and negotiate payload interfaces and maintain interface documentation.
- Develop and execute interface verification and validation plans, including testing and final sell-off.
What they ask for
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
- 5+ years of aerospace or space industry experience involving spacecraft, launch vehicles, airborne systems, or payloads.
- 2+ years of technical project management and/or systems engineering experience.
- Hands-on experience developing, integrating, and testing aerospace systems; understanding of mechanical, electrical, software, and power interfaces for satellite payloads.
Nice to have
- Master’s degree in an engineering discipline; experience working directly with National Security customers.
- Active Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance, or willingness to pursue and maintain a clearance.
Pay
USD $175,000 - $230,000 base salary
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative