Ground Integration Lead, Top Secret Clearance

<div class="content-intro"><p class="p1">K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/aliciapark/2025/12/11/this-startup-is-building-huge-satellites-for-an-underused-interstellar-sweet-spot/?ctpv=searchpage">$450M</a> from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others <span class="s1">– </span>with an additional $500M 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.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">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.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">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. <span class="TextRun SCXW79998266 BCX0" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW79998266 BCX0">If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW79998266 BCX0">you're</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW79998266 BCX0"> excited about contributing to the success of a groundbreaking Series C</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW79998266 BCX0"> space startup, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW79998266 BCX0">we’d</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW79998266 BCX0"> love for you to apply.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW79998266 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p></div><p><strong><span data-contrast="none">The Role</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":0,"335559739":240,"335559991":0}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">K2 Space operates constellations spanning commercial, science, and national security missions using a mix of in-house and legacy ground systems. In this role, you will be a key part of the team in charge of integrating all of these systems into a cohesive, reliable ground network. The ground systems you and your team build will be capable of bridging the gap between heterogeneous constellations in space and the RF and Optical ground segment that controls them. You will be key in a multi-pronged strategy to invest in K2 ground infrastructure while also engaging with partners to integrate with legacy and 3</span><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-fontsize="11">rd</span></span><span data-contrast="auto"> party ground systems.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">You’ll lead a growing organization of engineers, set the technical roadmap, and ensure we’re delivering ground infrastructure that moves as fast as our hardware. You and your team will collaborate closely with the Ground Software Applications and Flight Software teams to drive new integrations that unlock new mission capabilities for our customers in the classified and unclassified domains.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none">Responsibilities</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559685":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559991":0}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Define and execute the long-term vision for K2 Space’s end to end ground systems integration</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Direct and technically lead investment in new in-house ground infrastructure while managing and building relationships with third party mission partners </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276,"335559991":360}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Integrate with customer teams to architect new ground systems capable of operating at multiple levels of classification while delivering secure and reliable constellation operations</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276,"335559991":360}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Build and support a team of capable and experienced ground integration engineers responsible for building the connective tissue between new and legacy ground systems</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276,"335559991":360}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Ensure teams deliver robust, scalable, and secure systems at startup speed</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Represent K2 Space in recruiting, industry events, customer interactions, and strategic partnerships</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none">Qualifications</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559685":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559991":0}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="none">Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, mathematics or a STEM discipline or 3+ years of professional experience in software engineering </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="none">8+ years of experience in software development</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="none">3+ years of leadership experience at the department or org level</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="none">Experience with the deployment and integration of sophisticated hardware and software systems</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="none">Proven success building and scaling high-impact engineering teams</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="none">Strong track record of delivering enterprise-scale solutions in fast-paced environments</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="none">Deep experience with classified systems and their security requirements</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none">Nice to Have</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559685":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559991":0}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience in aerospace, manufacturing, or mission-critical systems </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="none">Proficiency in one or more programming languages such as Python, C#.NET, Go, Java, or similar</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="none">Familiarity with modern languages (Python, Go, Java, C#, etc.), cloud systems, CI/CD, and container orchestration (Docker/Kubernetes).</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="none">A track record of fostering team culture, collaboration, and continuous improvement.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="none">Understanding of existing systems architectures that support ground and orbital systems contributing to government and commercial space systems</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Compensation and Benefits:</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Base salary range for this role is $</span><span data-contrast="auto">200,000 - $250,000</span><span data-contrast="auto"> + equity in the company</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/ coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul><div class="content-conclusion"><p>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!</p>
<p>If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.</p>
<p><strong>Export Compliance</strong></p>
<p>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.”</p>
<p>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 <a class="c-link" href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/22/120.15" target="_blank">22 C.F.R. § 120.15</a> or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.</p>
<p><strong>Equal Opportunity</strong></p>
<p>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.</p></div>