Radiation Effects 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

You will play a critical role in the qualification, implementation and reliability of our satellite’s avionics hardware in the most intense radiation environments of space. You will own the rapid development of component, board and subsystem level radiation test setups that you will execute at national labs across the country, while growing the team’s capabilities through test rack and automation development to keep up with our growing business needs. Through detailed analysis and reporting of your test results, you will inform hardware designers and mission planners of how to confidently operate our satellites to meet our Commercial, National Security and science customer’s needs. As an essential part of the engineering team, you will demonstrate excellent test engineering fundamentals and a high level of attention to detail to ensure our hardware and test capabilities are second to none. Prior experience in radiation effects testing is preferred but not required; strong electrical lab skills and a willingness to learn are essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead cradle-to-grave radiation test campaigns (SEE, TID, DDD and materials) through coordinating test facilities/dates, designing electrical test setups, writing test procedures, executing tests, and documenting results

• Design, fabricate, and assemble production quality test racks, basic PCBAs, and cable harnesses

• Troubleshoot, repair, and modify electronic components, assemblies, parts, and systems

• Perform tests and checkouts using standard lab equipment such as programmable power supplies, ohmmeters, oscilloscopes, DMM, SMU, logic analyzers and DAQs.

• Develop basic test automation, data collection and analysis scripts in Python

• Own the scheduling and prioritization of component, board and subsystem radiation testing to support the hardware and vehicle lifecycle

• Flash firmware and perform software load verifications under the direction of engineering team members

• Build fixtures and tooling using an array of hand, power, and pneumatic mechanical tools

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience assembling, integrating, and testing electrical components, assemblies and/or hardware in the aerospace industry

• Ability to set up and run common electrical measurements (voltage, current, timing, digital I/O)

• Familiarity of radiation effects on semiconductor devices, including how to mitigate common failure modes

• Experience with test equipment such as oscilloscopes, power supplies, SMUs, function generators, or logic analyzers

• Demonstrated ability in soldering and crimping as well as assembling cable harnesses and connectors

• Demonstrated ability to document work clearly and follow structured test processes

Nice to Have

• 1+ years of experience in the radiation effects testing (TID, SEE, proton, heavy ion, gamma, neutron, etc.)

• Familiarity with designing circuits and setups around common components such as transistors, regulators, digital/analog components and RF devices

• Familiarity with FPGA or microcontroller-based test systems

• Experience designing, building, and testing electrical assemblies, fixtures and test racks

• Experience designing PCBs using common EDA tools (e.g., Altium, KiCad, OrCAD)

• Ability to create, read, review, and redline electrical and test rack schematics

• Experience developing modular, reusable test automation software and drivers in Linux, C++, Rust, Python, Visual Studio, etc.

• Strong troubleshooting skills and attention to detail

• Strong communication skills with ability to communicate hardware, systems, and scheduling problems and solutions

Additional Requirements

• Willing to work weekends as needed

• Must be available to travel up to 25% of the year to support radiation tests

• Valid Driver's license

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary range for this exempt role is $100,000 - $130,000 + equity in the company

• Compensation 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.