K2 Space Corporation
Senior Guidance, Navigation, & Control (GNC) Engineer
K2 Space Corporation, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
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 and an additional $500M in signed contracts, we’re mass‑producing the highest‑power satellite platforms for missions from LEO to deep space.
With heavy‑lift launch vehicles now delivering large payloads, K2 is positioned to create a fundamentally different class of spacecraft that can survive harsh radiation, exploit massive rockets, and operate across multiple orbits. Our goal is to build larger satellites that can handle advanced missions, taking us toward a K2‑Civilization where space is an everyday resource.
We are looking for a motivated Senior GNC Engineer who thrives in a fast‑paced, Series‑C startup environment. The role will be a core driver of the overall spacecraft GNC architecture, leading trade studies, design, verification, and launch operations.
Role Overview As a Senior GNC Engineer, you will:
Execute detailed trade studies to innovate guidance, attitude control, and orbit estimation.
Develop control infrastructure, from discrete filter design to frequency‑domain analysis.
Lead the Verification & Validation plan for the GNC stack, ensuring flight readiness.
Support autonomous orbit raise to MEO and associated navigation.
Engage in launch and on‑orbit operations of the first full K2 spacecraft bus – the Mega.
Contribute to the block‑2 upgrades of the GNC stack and 6‑DOF simulation, leveraging lessons from operations.
Recruit, hire, and mentor other GNC engineers.
Responsibilities
Collaborate with engineering leads to develop and validate a novel high‑level vehicle architecture.
Develop advanced algorithms for precise pointing and slewing of very large, flexible structures in earth orbit and beyond.
Create simulation and modeling tools to support trade studies, including mission design, control analysis, and 6‑DOF simulation.
Lead GNC organizational growth through recruitment and mentoring.
Qualifications
Experience with GNC actuator or sensor sizing, selection, and system design.
Experience implementing attitude control or estimation algorithms on spacecraft.
Experience with verification and validation of GNC flight software in an integrated environment using 6‑DOF simulation and HITL testing.
Proficiency in Python, Julia, C/C++, or MATLAB for algorithm development, implementation, and simulation.
Nice to Have
Early‑stage spacecraft conceptual design experience (“clean‑sheet” work).
Control algorithm development background.
Experience with reaction wheel, control moment gyroscope, or thruster sizing and algorithm implementation.
Navigation expertise, especially Extended Kalman Filters.
Trajectory analysis, modeling, and mission design skills.
Rust software development experience.
Compensation & Benefits
Base salary range: $160,000 – $220,000, plus equity in the company.
Comprehensive benefits package: paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and additional 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, and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations. Therefore, the individual must be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. and 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 by race, color, religion, gender, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally protected status.
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With heavy‑lift launch vehicles now delivering large payloads, K2 is positioned to create a fundamentally different class of spacecraft that can survive harsh radiation, exploit massive rockets, and operate across multiple orbits. Our goal is to build larger satellites that can handle advanced missions, taking us toward a K2‑Civilization where space is an everyday resource.
We are looking for a motivated Senior GNC Engineer who thrives in a fast‑paced, Series‑C startup environment. The role will be a core driver of the overall spacecraft GNC architecture, leading trade studies, design, verification, and launch operations.
Role Overview As a Senior GNC Engineer, you will:
Execute detailed trade studies to innovate guidance, attitude control, and orbit estimation.
Develop control infrastructure, from discrete filter design to frequency‑domain analysis.
Lead the Verification & Validation plan for the GNC stack, ensuring flight readiness.
Support autonomous orbit raise to MEO and associated navigation.
Engage in launch and on‑orbit operations of the first full K2 spacecraft bus – the Mega.
Contribute to the block‑2 upgrades of the GNC stack and 6‑DOF simulation, leveraging lessons from operations.
Recruit, hire, and mentor other GNC engineers.
Responsibilities
Collaborate with engineering leads to develop and validate a novel high‑level vehicle architecture.
Develop advanced algorithms for precise pointing and slewing of very large, flexible structures in earth orbit and beyond.
Create simulation and modeling tools to support trade studies, including mission design, control analysis, and 6‑DOF simulation.
Lead GNC organizational growth through recruitment and mentoring.
Qualifications
Experience with GNC actuator or sensor sizing, selection, and system design.
Experience implementing attitude control or estimation algorithms on spacecraft.
Experience with verification and validation of GNC flight software in an integrated environment using 6‑DOF simulation and HITL testing.
Proficiency in Python, Julia, C/C++, or MATLAB for algorithm development, implementation, and simulation.
Nice to Have
Early‑stage spacecraft conceptual design experience (“clean‑sheet” work).
Control algorithm development background.
Experience with reaction wheel, control moment gyroscope, or thruster sizing and algorithm implementation.
Navigation expertise, especially Extended Kalman Filters.
Trajectory analysis, modeling, and mission design skills.
Rust software development experience.
Compensation & Benefits
Base salary range: $160,000 – $220,000, plus equity in the company.
Comprehensive benefits package: paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and additional 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, and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations. Therefore, the individual must be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. and 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 by race, color, religion, gender, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally protected status.
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