Space Operations Engineering Intern – Summer 2027 Verified today
About K2 Space
K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding and with over $1 billion in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers, K2 is mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space. With multiple launches in 2027 and plans to scale to 100 satellites a year, we are entering an era of mass abundance in spaceflight.
The Role
Join the Space Ops Engineering team for a 12-week summer internship. You will work hands-on with real spacecraft, executing integrated test campaigns, mastering the satellite bus, and working with Reliability Engineering teams to validate system health and fly on-orbit satellites.
Responsibilities
- Support test procedures (manual and automated) used to confirm spacecraft hardware and software flight worthiness
- Take part in high-visibility integration campaigns for development and flight hardware
- Operate spacecraft (interpret telemetry, send commands) during system tests at the factory, test facilities, launch sites, and during pre-launch operations and space operations
- Identify and elevate off-nominal conditions during test, and drive issues to resolution by engaging with the wider engineering team
- Clearly communicate status, needs, and risks to the entire K2 Space team (and payload providers) during high-intensity operations
- Assess risks associated with different integration, test, and flight approaches, and clearly communicate mitigations and trade-offs
Requirements
- Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's degree in mechanical, electrical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
- 6 or more months of technical engineering skills outside of the university classroom (laboratory, research, extracurricular project teams, volunteering, personal projects, or prior internship/work experience)
- Available for a minimum 12-week internship in person at our HQ in Torrance, Los Angeles
Nice to Have
- Ability to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment, including frequent interactions with technicians, engineers, and managers
- Experience testing and troubleshooting spacecraft and their related components and systems, including subsystem checkouts and system acceptance testing
- Familiarity with mission operations concepts such as LEOP, telemetry, commanding, fault protection, and anomaly resolution
- Experience working in a clean room and with ESD-sensitive equipment
- Experience operating vehicles in a mission or production setting
- Hands-on experience with HITL or Flatsat software verification testbeds
- Experience or exposure in a test or automation role