Power Systems Engineer

About the role

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 including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others – 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.

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

As a Power Systems Engineer at K2, you’ll develop and test the high-fidelity electrical system models that ensure our high voltage, high power system behaves predictably and reliably. In this role you’ll dive deep into the first principles of power systems, from creating full-fidelity SPICE models of power system parasitics and dynamics to validating and tuning these models against reality. Your work will guide key architectural decisions: how power flows through the spacecraft, how faults are isolated, how filters are sized for EMI compatibility, and how the system operates reliably through worst-case faults. If you enjoy hands ‑ on investigation, and you want to influence the core architecture of next ‑ generation spacecraft power systems, this is the place to be.

Responsibilities

Develop SPICE representations and models to evaluate power system parasitics, like battery impedance, harness reactance, and filters

Plan and execute test campaigns to validate these models against reality

Code high-fidelity simulations of in-flight power and energy budgets

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline

1+ years working in Avionics Systems, Electrical Power Systems, Electrical Hardware Design, or similar role

Strong grasp of circuit and basic energy/power balance fundamentals

Nice to Have

Strong capability to independently reason through designing for fault tolerance and reliability

Familiarity with failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA)

Experience working with LTSpice or similar SPICE simulator

Experience writing software in Python, Rust or other language for test automation

Ability to perform impedance measurements and loop gain measurements

Experience constructing representative circuit models of electrical hardware system components, like batteries and harnesses

Compensation and Benefits:

Base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $150,000 + 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 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

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.