Avionics Systems Engineer

The Role

You will be responsible for system design, analysis, testing and integration of avionics on some of the largest, most powerful, rapidly designed and manufactured satellites. You will have the unique opportunity to work with a cross functional team of engineers to make impactful architecture trades, design new spacecraft hardware, and manage the overall avionics system implementation. You will be the Responsible Engineer for avionics interfacing, harnessing, instrumentation, and GNC actuators. You will help establish production and vehicle hardware in the loop (HITL) test infrastructure to enable high velocity software development to support the first satellite launch and reach high rate constellation launch cadence. In your first two years, you will have qualified hardware for flight, completed avionics integration on the satellite bus, and flown your first spacecraft.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Responsible Engineer for avionics system design, performance, and hardware across the computing, power system, instrumentation, GNC sensors, and harnessing on the satellite bus

• Collaborate closely within the cross functional team (GNC, Mechanisms/Structure, Flight Software, Propulsion) to capture requirements, lead design trades, and integrate the design into the spacecraft systems

• Create and update technical documentation including system diagrams, schematics, interface control documents, procedures, test/anomaly reports

• Execute avionics component and system testing on flight hardware through development acceptance, qualification, and integration testing

• Support spacecraft integration testing, production issue dispositions, troubleshooting failures, and managing overall spacecraft risk

• Design, develop and build production and HITL test platforms

• Write modular, reusable test, analysis, and automation software in Python and similar languages

• Effectively manage and communicate project plan, milestones, and schedule execution

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering or any equivalent combination of education and experience

• 3+ years of experience in the architectural design, development, test, and integration of space-grade avionics systems

• Experience programmatically interfacing with hardware test automation and data analysis tasks

• Ability to work in a fast-paced and high velocity start-up atmosphere 

• Creative problem solver that can assess risk and make collaborative design and development decisions

Nice to Have

• Hands-on experience with environmental testing for space electronics and harnessing such as thermal, thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, radiation, and EMI/EMC testing per SMC-S-016

• Competence with electrical test equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes, network analyzers, etc.)

• Strong presentation experience in highly technical design forums and reviews (Preliminary Design Reviews, Critical Design Reviews, Flight Readiness Reviews, etc.)

• Proficient with NX or similar CAD software including electrical harness routing

• Expertise in PCB schematic capture and board layout, ideally using Altium or similar software

• Experience with Linux, Bash, C++, MODBUS

• Experience with vehicle level testing including writing test procedures, creating robust and efficient test sequencing, and analytical data review to evaluate hardware health 

• Familiarity with vehicle power analysis, flight software state machine structures, and communication systems 

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base salary range for this role is $120,000 - $180,000 + 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 unlimited 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.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

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.