Principal Launch Mission Manager

About the role

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 and an additional $500M in signed contracts, we’re mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space. We are looking for exceptional individuals to support our customer and launch partner interfaces as a Launch Mission Manager.

In this role, you will be hands-on supporting payload, vehicle, and launch integration certification, verification, and execution actions. You’ll own certification across multiple threads, working closely with internal teams and external partners to advocate for K2 and our customers, pushing for process simplification, lessons learned, and state-of-the-art certification methods. You’ll ensure there are no certification, verification, or execution show-stoppers on launch day.

Responsibilities

• Function as K2 point of contact for all certification-related matters, including range safety compliance, launch vehicle user guide compliance, ground operations plan, payload certification plan, customer to launch provider interactions, and qualification reports.
• Serve as launch provider point of contact, ensuring launch vehicle ICDs are closed and verified, the launch operations plan is robust, and the mission executes flawlessly.
• Serve as payload provider point of contact in certification forums, ensuring payload meets all applicable requirements from both K2 and the launch provider.
• Support payload integration readiness reviews, pre-ship reviews, launch and flight readiness reviews in various capacities.
• Review and help shape future customer and launch vehicle contracts and SOWs.
• Shape K2’s certification process, developing new methods to increase velocity.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or science.
• 8+ years of experience in technical aerospace or manufacturing.
• 2+ years of experience managing projects, technical trades, and/or technical teams.
• Exceptional understanding of launch vehicles, spacecraft, or other aerospace systems and their certification and/or verification processes.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Nice to Have

• Master’s degree or PhD in an engineering or science discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in technical aerospace or manufacturing.
• Active Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance.
• Experience leading spacecraft qualification, verification, or certification efforts for single or constellation-level projects.
• Experience working with payload or launch provider contracts and SOWs.
• Proven ability to innovate in process improvement and lessons learned processes.
• Skilled in generating executive summaries to drive decision-making through senior leadership discussions.
• Demonstrated track record of project ownership, responsibility for execution, and successful outcomes.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, and paid parental leave.

Pay

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.

Export Compliance: The person hired for this role must be a “U.S. person” as defined by ITAR (22 C.F.R. 120.15) or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license, due to access to controlled information and items.