HITL Engineer

<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="auto">The Role</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">As a Hardware-In-The-Loop (HITL) Testbed Engineer, you’ll own designing, implementing, and maintaining critical test assets integrating flight-like hardware and high-fidelity simulation. You will support critical tests validating system design, verifying flight and ground software, and operations related in active missions in space. Your attention to detail and preparation will ensure that the flatsat testbed is ready for tasks that could directly impact mission success. Knowing how to scale these testbeds using automation and flexible configuration will enable teams to have accurate results and parity with flight vehicles with various mission objectives.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Responsibilities</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Work with responsible engineers and software engineers to design a high-fidelity vehicle testbed ensuring high technical rigor and associated documentation.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Operate the HITL testbed in support of system validation, verification, and investigations, including on-orbit operations.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Receive, integrate, and test flight representative hardware into HITL testbeds.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Collaborate with design and systems engineers to create and build hardware simulation equipment.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Own, maintain, and document HITL table configuration and build out, including the supporting GSE racks.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Create and release harness drawings for required ground support and test equipment.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Investigate and troubleshoot testbed issues and drive further actions to improve future designs.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Design, maintain, and operate HITL racks deployed to customers for integration.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="9" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Support training events for mission operators for constellation management.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Qualifications</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Bachelor’s degree in electrical, aerospace, mechanical, computer, or other engineering discipline</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">2+ years of experience in an integration/test/automation engineering role (includes internships and design/build/compete extracurricular projects)</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Hands-on experience with HITL or Flatsat software verification testbeds.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Experience designing, building, and maintaining test racks and harnessing.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Experience testing and troubleshooting integrated avionics systems and their related components.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Hands-on experience using electrical test equipment (PSU, Oscilloscope, DMM, etc.) and with ESD sensitive equipment.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Nice to Have</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Proficient in Python and/or Rust</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Experience with Linux systems</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Experience managing contractual interfaces (e.g. customer, launch vehicle)</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Experience with containerized solutions like Docker.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Desire to continually raise the bar of “good enough” and innovate novel solutions for scaling HITL.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none">Compensation and Benefits</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $140,000 + equity in the company</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">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>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">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>