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HITL Engineer

K2 Space

Los Angeles, CA • 10/23/2026

Engineering , Professional , Skilled & Trades , Manufacturing

Job Description

Job Description

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

AsaHardware-In-The-Loop(HITL)Testbed Engineer,you'llown designing,implementing, andmaintainingcritical test assetsintegratingflight-like hardware andhigh-fidelitysimulation.Youwillsupport critical testsvalidatingsystem design, verifying flight and ground software, andoperationsrelated inactive missionsin space.Your attention to detail and preparation will ensure thattheflatsattestbed is ready fortasks thatcoulddirectlyimpactmission success.Knowing how to scale thesetestbeds using automation andflexible configurationwillenable teams tohaveaccurateresultsand parity with flight vehicleswith various missionobjectives.

Responsibilities

  • Work withresponsible engineers andsoftware engineers to design ahigh-fidelityvehicle testbedensuring high technical rigor and associated documentation.
  • Operate the HITL testbed in support ofsystem validation, verification, and investigations, including on-orbitoperations.
  • Receive, integrate, and test flight representative hardwareinto HITL testbeds.
  • Collaborate with design and systems engineers tocreateand buildhardware simulation equipment.
  • Own,maintain, and documentHITL table configuration and build out, including thesupporting GSEracks.
  • Create and release harness drawings for required ground supportand testequipment.
  • Investigate and troubleshoottestbedissuesand drive further actions toimprove future designs.
  • Design,maintain, and operate HITLracks deployed to customers for integration.
  • Supporttraining events formissionoperatorsforconstellation management.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical, aerospace, mechanical, computer, or other engineering discipline
  • 2+ years of experience in an integration/test/automation engineering role (includes internships and design/build/compete extracurricular projects)
  • Hands-on experience with HITL orFlatsatsoftware verification testbeds.
  • Experience designing, building, andmaintainingtest racks and harnessing.
  • Experience testing and troubleshootingintegrated avionics systemsand their related components.
  • Hands-on experience using electrical test equipment (PSU, Oscilloscope, DMM, etc.)and with ESD sensitive equipment.
  • Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills

Nice to Have

  • Proficient in Python and/or Rust
  • Experience with Linux systems
  • Experience managing contractual interfaces (e.g.customer, launch vehicle)
  • Experience withcontainerized solutions likeDocker.
  • Desire to continually raise the bar of "good enough" andinnovate novel solutions for scaling HITL.

Compensation and Benefits

  • Base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $140,000 + equity in the company
  • Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limitedto: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 otherperks

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 by22 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.