The RoleK2 has a large set of customer and launch partners, ranging from rideshare hosted payloads to full constellation scale roll out, spanning multiple launch vehicles, procurement methods, licensing methods, and launch sites. We are looking for exceptional individuals to support all of these customer and launch partner interfaces. As a launch mission manager, you will be hands-on supporting payload, vehicle, and launch integration certification, verification, and execution actions.
You'll own certification across multiple threads, also working closely with our internal design reliability, program managers, and leadership team. You'll be an advocate for K2 and our customer pushing for simplification of process, implementation of lessons learned, and state of the art certification methods to enable our constellation level roll outs. You'll work with our legal teams to enable appropriate licensing and insurance closure. You'll work with our engineering teams to feed back best-practices and lessons learned from integrated spacecraft testing to optimize future payload missions. You'll work with all teams to help ensure successful spaceflight outcomes.
In this position you'll be the voice of K2 in multiple forums and efforts - ultimately being responsible for ensuring there are no certification, verification, or execution show-stoppers on day of payload integration, spacecraft testing, or launch.
Responsibilities - Function as K2 point of contact for all things related to certification, to include 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, helping ensure launch vehicle ICDs are closed and verified, 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 our certification process for all of the above, helping come up with new methods for K2 to increase velocity
Qualifications - 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
Compensation and Benefits - 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
- Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks
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 ComplianceAs 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 by 22 C.F.R. 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.
