Senior Avionics Test Engineer, Optical

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 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.

Responsibilities

• Design and fabricate test hardware, harnessing, and test systems to support optical payload development testing
• Develop modular, reusable test automation software and drivers in Python, Rust, C++ for Linux platforms
• Execute development and production tests to meet internal and external customer needs
• Develop data acquisition, control, and instrumentation systems to test at the integrated level
• Own the project management of multiple test assets and acceptance testing of optical avionics including upgrades to support hardware lifecycle
• Design device simulators deployed across component subsystem and HITL testbeds
• Collaborate with a cross-functional team to establish product requirements, testing methods, and project test schedules
• Design and build optical tables with automated active alignment for high-rate optical testing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, computer, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline or any equivalent combination of education and experience
• 5+ years of experience with test hardware design and software scripting
• Strong programming abilities (Python, C++, or Rust)
• Experience designing, building, and testing electrical assemblies and test fixtures

Nice to Have

• Experience with design and testing of optical systems
• Experience with camera automation and quantitative image processing (e.g. beam profiling), power meters, and laser interlocks
• Experience with data acquisition, controls, and dedicated test equipment
• Familiarity with SMC-S-016 or MIL-STD-810 testing methods, including vibration, shock, and thermal testing
• Understanding of the failure modes of electrical and optical systems in space environments
• Demonstrated ability to own electrical or optical hardware test systems within an integrated engineering team
• Creative problem solver that can balance schedule, resource, and technical constraints

Pay

Base salary range for this role is $150,000 – $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.

Benefits

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