Principal Optical Systems Engineer

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 with commercial and U.S. government customers, we’re mass‑producing the highest‑power satellite platforms 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 planned through 2026 and 2027, we’re building bigger to develop the solar system and become a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and you’re excited about contributing to the success of a groundbreaking Series C space startup, we’d love for you to apply.

The Role

K2’s plan extends beyond satellite buses. By operating our own vehicles and securing rides to space, we are uniquely positioned to design, test, and deploy ambitious optical payloads in MEO, GEO, cis‑lunar, and deep space on unprecedented timelines. The satellite bus is the platform – the payloads are the mission.

As an Optical Systems Engineer, you will contribute to defining how K2 designs, manufactures, tests, and deploys optics benches across K2’s optical payload suite. You will be involved in every phase of your optical system’s life cycle, from initial feasibility and architectural trade studies through manufacturing, ground testing, and on‑orbit commissioning. The development timelines and manufacturing scale that we target require meaningful innovation, but you will have the resources and full support of K2 to help raise the bar for the next generation of space technology companies.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for delivering the system architecture, SNR budget, and system‑specific modeling (e.g., stray light, fiber coupling).
• Develop the plan (risk reduction timeline, division of labor, test strategy).
• Environmental qualification and reliability testing.
• Technical leadership of vendors and external partners, including component qualification, supply‑chain development, and transition to volume manufacturing.
• Collaborate with the optical and satellite bus teams to determine feasibility and optimal system requirements for optical payloads.
• Prepare design reviews for your optical system to gain stakeholder buy‑in and communicate expectations to the hardware, software, test, and manufacturing teams.
• Forecast staffing needs, define roles, and interview candidates to ensure the optical payload team is staffed appropriately to deliver on schedule.
• Mentor engineers supporting you to become more capable and autonomous in optical system development.
• Oversee in‑house fabrication and assembly, selecting manufacturing equipment and working with the production team to develop factory layout, work instructions, in‑process checkouts, and end‑of‑line tests to ensure successful builds.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, optics, computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience in the design, manufacture, and test of optical systems.
• Experience designing and deploying optical systems at every phase of the product life cycle (requirements generation, design, analysis, tolerance, procurement, build, align, test, deploy, operate).

Nice to Have

• Familiarity with high‑volume manufacturing – broad knowledge of manufacturing techniques, design for manufacturability, supply‑chain management, and productionization of assembly and test processes.
• Experience with optical mechanisms – specifying requirements, understanding feedback and actuation methods, basic controls analysis, quantifying mechanism error, and system‑level testing.
• Deep knowledge of electro‑optical sensing technologies (e.g., focal plane arrays, photodiodes) – their non‑idealities, noise mechanisms, mitigation, testing, and characterization.
• Experience conducting experimental research, data analysis, and visualizing complex datasets.
• Understanding of failure modes of electrical, mechanical, and optical systems in space environments.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary range for this role is $190,000–$280,000 + equity in the company.
• Salary will be based on factors including 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.

Export Compliance

As 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.