Head of Avionics

The Role

In this key leadership role, you will be responsible for the success of all Avionics operations at K2 Space. You will ensure the strategic operational execution of all electronic hardware design, and oversee the electrical engineering organizations who are responsible for designing, testing, and flying critical electronics across all of the K2 Space satellites.

In your first 6 months you will organize and define the role of the Avionics organization within K2 while driving critical design decisions across the spacecraft. In your first year you will guide your team through prototyping and qualification of all avionics components on the spacecraft. In your first two years your team will have successfully flown the systems they designed for critical missions across LEO, MEO, GEO, and beyond.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the design, qualification, and testing of all K2 spacecraft electronics including architecture, systems integration, circuit board design, system bring up and debugging, and environmental testing

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure designs are integrated into the spacecraft systems and successfully operate hardware in flight 

• Oversee recruitment, hiring, and training of Avionics team members

• Partner with leadership, design engineers, and technicians to deliver complex and reliable systems at a rapid pace

• Represent the avionics department in all external engagements, including customer design reviews and flight readiness reviews

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, aerospace, mathematics, or other relevant engineering discipline

• 10+ years of experience in avionics development or relevant complex electrical engineering projects

• 5+ years of experience leading and/or managing large teams on technically-complex projects throughout the development and build process in a fast-paced environment

• Experience managing vendors, suppliers, and strategic technical partners 

Nice to Have

• Deep experience in electrical system design for space applications from the architecture stage through flight including PCBA design, wire harness design, and power/compute systems design

• Experience with spacecraft integration and test, including subsystem checkouts and full spacecraft integrated testing

• Experience with space radiation analysis, radiation-tolerant design principles, and radiation test

• Experience with high performance kW scale isolated power converter design

• Experience designing analog control loops, solid state load switches, motor inverters, EMI/EMC compliance, or sensor signal conditioning circuits

• Experience with digital processors, FPGAs, memory chips, or network switches

• Experience programming in C/C++, Python, or Matlab

• Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills

• Experience with business development, proposal work, business capture, and contract discussions

• Active Top-Secret Clearance and/or an active and current DoD Secret clearance and be SAP clearable

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base salary range for this role is $150,000 - $215,000 + 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.

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.