Principal Vehicle & Mission Operations Engineer

The role

You will define and operationalize mission operations concepts for satellite missions. You will develop telemetry monitoring, fault response frameworks, and command plans while collaborating with systems, software, and hardware teams.

What you will do

• Define and operationalize Mission operations concept for the first satellite mission
• Develop telemetry monitoring strategies, fault response frameworks, and command plans
• Collaborate with systems, software, and hardware teams for operational readiness
• Drive the roadmap for mission operations tooling, ground segment workflows, and constellation management
• Serve as a key operator during on-orbit operations
• Operate spacecraft during system tests at the factory, test facilities, and launch sites
• Interface with customers to scope testing performed on payloads
• Assess risks associated with integration and test approaches

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, aerospace, mechanical, computer, or other relevant engineering discipline
• 10+ years of experience in an operations/integration/automation engineering role
• 4 years of direct experience operating satellites on-orbit
• Experience testing and troubleshooting spacecraft and related components and systems
• Familiarity with mission operations concepts such as LEOP, telemetry, commanding, fault protection, and anomaly resolution
• Experience building or contributing to custom tooling for telemetry, analysis, data pipelines, or operational dashboards
• Background in designing or scaling operational architectures for fleets or constellations
• Experience with scripting or automation tools (e.g. Python, Rust)
• Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills

Nice to have

• Hands-on experience with HITL or Flatsat software verification testbeds
• Experience working with GAaaS providers
• Experience with Linux systems
• Experience managing contractual interfaces (e.g. customer, launch vehicle)

Benefits

• Paid time off
• Medical/dental/vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave

Before you apply

• Must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license

About the company

K2 is building high-power satellite platforms for missions from LEO to deep space. The company is a high-growth Series D-funded company with over $1 billion in signed contracts.