Senior Vehicle & Mission Operations Engineer

K2 Space

$130K — $180K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in relevant engineering field (electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or computer)
  • 1+ years of satellite operations experience on-orbit
  • 5+ years in operations, integration, or automation engineering
  • Hands-on experience troubleshooting spacecraft systems
  • Familiarity with mission operations practices (LEOP, telemetry, anomaly resolution)
  • Experience developing custom operational tools for telemetry or dashboards
  • Background in operational architectures for satellite fleets
  • Proficiency in scripting or automation tools (Python, Rust)

Responsibilities

  • Define and implement Mission Operations for the first satellite mission
  • Develop telemetry strategies and command plans for launch and operations
  • Work with systems and software teams to assure operational readiness
  • Drive tooling and long-term management for mission operations
  • Act as a primary operator during on-orbit operations
  • Operate spacecraft during tests at various locations
  • Collaborate with customers to scope testing based on functional requirements
  • Evaluate risks and optimize testing and integration processes

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off and medical coverage
  • Paid parental leave
  • Equity in the company
  • Additional perks enhancing employee well-being
Full Job Description
The Role

From day one, you'll be hands-on with our integrated satellite-level test campaign, diving deep into the K2 bus and laying the foundation for what comes next. Within your first few months, you'll help define how we operate our first mission-shaping the tools, systems, and philosophy behind Mission Operations. As we move toward launch, you'll be at the heart of it all.

Over the following year, your impact will grow: evolving our playbook from that first mission, scaling it to support multi-satellite operations, and ultimately pioneering the systems needed for full constellation control. The path to operating dozens-or hundreds-of satellites will be yours to help chart. The success of our constellations will depend on the foundations you help build.

Responsibilities
  • Define and operationalize our Mission Operations concept for the first satellite mission, including procedures, tools, and real-time support systems
  • Develop telemetry monitoring strategies, fault response frameworks, and command plans for pre-launch, LEOP, and nominal operations
  • Collaborate closely with systems, software, and hardware teams to ensure operational readiness across all spacecraft subsystems
  • Drive the roadmap for mission operations tooling, ground segment workflows, and long-term constellation management
  • Serve as a key operator during on-orbit operations, responsible for real-time decision-making and coordination
  • Operate spacecraft (interpret telemetry, send commands) during system tests at the factory, test facilities, launch sites, and during pre-launch operations
  • Interface with customers to scope testing performed on their payloads, based on expected functions and failure modes of interest
  • Assess risks associated with different integration and test approaches, justify test reductions and optimize vehicle build/test flows for at-rate production

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical, aerospace, mechanical, computer, or other relevant engineering discipline
  • 1+ years of operating satellites on-orbit
  • 5+ years of experience in an operations/integration/automation engineering role
  • Experience testing and troubleshooting spacecraft and their related components and systems, including subsystem checkouts and system acceptance testing
  • 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)

Compensation and Benefits
  • Base salary range for this role is $130,000 - $180,000 + 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.

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