Principal IT Engineer at K2 Space in Los Angeles, CA

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 From day one you’ll sit at the center of K2 Space’s technical foundation by owning and shaping our IT systems. You’ll build the systems and platforms that power the world’s most advanced satellites – driving rapid development, integrated testing, and mission-critical operations. You’ll define and scale the IT backbone that enables high-power hardware, fast iteration, and a growing and innovative team. From setting standards and automating processes to shaping enterprise-wide architecture, your work will directly fuel our multi-mission operations and ambitious satellite roadmap. The systems you create will not just support our missions – they will define how K2 Space operates at the forefront of satellite technology. Responsibilities Serve as the highest-level technical authority for core IT systems, platforms and infrastructure, setting long-term technical direction aligned with business priorities Architect, design and govern complex, large-scale IT environments across on-premises, cloud, hybrid & SaaS ecosystems Own enterprise-level technical standards, reference architectures and design patterns by ensuring scalability, security and operational excellence Lead complex and high-risk initiatives, including major migrations, platform transitions and incident remediation efforts Act as an escalation point for critical production issues, performing deep root-cause analyses and driving permanent corrective actions Drive operational excellence through automation, reliability engineering practices, capacity planning and performance optimization Partner with security, compliance and SRE teams to ensure systems meet regulatory, privacy, and security requirements Influence executive stakeholders through technical guidance, trade-off analyses and risk assessments Mentor senior and junior level IT Engineers and analysts, raising the overall technical bar and fostering a culture of engineering rigor and accountability Qualifications 8+ years of experience in IT support and systems maintenance preferably in a fast-paced startup or aerospace environment Proven expertise in designing and operating large-scale, highly available and secure enterprise IT environments Deep knowledge of operating systems, current equipment and technologies, networking, security best practices, and system performance monitoring tools Experience with automation, infra as code, config management and reliability engineering practices Demonstrated ability to lead technically without direct authority, influencing teams and stakeholders across organizational boundaries Exceptional troubleshooting and systems-thinking skills, with a track record of resolving complex and ambiguous problems Proven experience working with mission critical and sensitive systems, with a sense of urgency appropriate with responsibilities Nice to Have Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in computer science or engineering Technical certifications (i.e., Network+, MCSE, Security+) Due to the high visibility of this position, excellent interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills Ability to maintain confidentiality of company information Compensation and Benefits: Base salary range for this role is $155,000 – $185,000 and 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.