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Principal Avionics Assurance Engineer
K2 Space
Los Angeles, CA, USA
USD 175k-220k / year + Equity
Posted on Jan 29, 2026
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
Avionics are the nervous system of our vehicles - every signal, every board, every harness matters. We’re building a modern Quality team that partners with design, production, and suppliers to make sure these systems work flawlessly from day one. If you love solving complex electrical integrity challenges and want to influence how quality is done in a fast-moving environment, this is your chance.
Responsibilities
- Define and translate system requirements into quality criteria for avionics including harnesses and electronic assemblies.
- Review schematics, PCB layouts, and harness drawings for compliance and critical features.
- Collaborate with design, test, and production teams to establish qualification, acceptance, and inspection strategies.
- Ensure process capability for soldering, crimping, and assembly using PFMEA, SPC/MSA, and control plans.
- Lead nonconformance management, corrective actions, and supplier quality improvements.
- Assess and audit supplier capability; manage APQP/PPAP deliverables
- Develop and track quality metrics and apply analytics using modern tools and automation
- Support audits and continuously improve QMS while aligning with various internal and external standards like AS, NASA
Qualifications
- BS in Electrical, Electronics, or Aerospace Engineering (MS preferred) and experience with flight-critical avionics/electrical systems.
- 8+ years of experience with cross-team impact and technical direction setting.
- Expertise in avionics/electronics commodities: PCBAs, LRUs, harnessing, connectors, EMI/EMC considerations.
- Strong fundamentals: IPC standards (IPC-A-610, IPC/WHMA-A-620), DFMEA/PFMEA, SPC/MSA, 8D/FRACAS
- Familiar with AS9100, AS9145/APQP, PPAP; comfortable in PLM/MES (e.g., Teamcenter) and Jira.
Nice to Have
- NADCAP experience for electronics processes; knowledge of environmental stress screening (ESS) and reliability testing.
- Supplier development and audits for PCB and harness manufacturing; familiarity with GIDEP and DLA resources.
- APQP/PPAP leadership in aerospace electronics
- Launch vehicle, space systems, UAVs, or defense program experience; building quality systems in a startup (0→1).
- Able to obtain a security clearance, if required.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Base salary range for this role is $175,000 - $220,000 + 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.