Principal Optical Amplifier / Laser 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 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

K2’s plan doesn't stop at satellite buses, however. By operating our own vehicles and manifesting regular rides to space, K2 is uniquely positioned to design, test, and deploy-at-scale 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.

There are any number of space-based optical payloads that can generate value here on Earth (ex. forest fire detection, climate and atmospheric monitoring, etc.) and further planetary science in our solar system (ex. hyper-spectral imaging, laser-altimetry, laser propulsion). For active optical payloads, high-power amplifiers and lasers that leverage K2’s on-orbit power capabilities will be a fundamental and enabling technology. Some of these near-term applications require the development of high-power, space-qualified fiber lasers and amplifiers in the near / short-wave infrared (ex. 1064nm) – but the future of atmospheric science and remote sensing will be unlocked by advances in space-qualified lasers in the UV and mid-IR.

As Principal Optical Amplifier / Laser Engineer, you will define how K2 develops, designs, manufactures, tests, and deploys high-power lasers and amplifiers across all active optical payloads. The development timelines, optical power levels, operating environments, and lifetimes we are targeting require meaningful innovation; you will have the resources and full support of K2 to make this possible and help raise the bar for the next generation of space technology companies.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for delivering the...

(1) system architecture, optical design, and performance budgets;
(2) electro-optical-thermal modeling, lifetime analysis, and mitigation of nonlinear and reliability risks;
(3) environmental qualification, and long-duration reliability testing;
(4) technical leadership of vendors and external partners, including component qualification, supply-chain development, and transition to volume manufacturing; and
(5) laboratory characterization, system-level validation, and mission readiness

... of high reliability fiber amplifier systems.

• Collaborate with the optical and satellite bus teams to determine optimal set of requirements for lasers and amplifiers.

• As the subject matter expert on lasers and optical amplifiers at K2, conduct system engineering feasibility studies for next-generation laser technologies supporting advanced remote sensing and planetary science payloads. In this capacity you will be fundamental to determining which future missions K2 undertakes.

• Forecast a staffing plan, define roles, and interview candidates to ensure the optical payloads team is staffed appropriately to meet laser and amplifier deliverables on schedule.

• Manufacturing is a major emphasis of this role. For any in-house fabrication and assembly, you’ll be responsible for the evaluation and selection of manufacturing equipment and working with the production team to develop a factory layout, work instructions, in-process checkouts, and end-of-line tests to ensure successful builds.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, optics, materials science, electrical engineering, or a related technical field.

• 8+ years of experience in the design, manufacture, and test of fiber and free-space lasers and optical amplifiers.

Nice to Have

• Deep knowledge of the physics, limitations, and system engineering tradeoffs of a wide variety of optical amplifier and laser technologies (optical parametric amplifiers, semiconductor optical amplifiers, quantum cascade lasers, etc.)

• Deep knowledge of fiber manufacturing and processing equipment (splicing, tapering, end-capping, lensing, etc.) and experience working with a wide variety of fiber types and materials (step-index, GRIN, hollow-core, photonic crystal, etc.)

• Experience conducting environmental acceptance and qualification test campaigns on optical assemblies.

• Experience in high-volume manufacturing and test automation.

• Experience with photonic circuit capabilities, design, fabrication, test, supply chain, and integration into higher level assemblies.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base salary range for this role is $190,000 - $280,000 + 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.