Platform Engineering Intern – Summer 2027
K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, ICONIQ, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and T. Rowe Price — and with over $1 billion 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 in 2027 and plans to scale to 100 satellites a year, we're Building Bigger — helping develop the solar system and build toward 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 high-growth Series D-funded company, we'd love for you to apply.
The Role
We're looking for a stellar Platform Engineering Intern to join our team for a 3-month internship. You'll join the team responsible for the overall development and integration of K2's satellite bus, gaining exposure to how we drive bus-level design integration and technical readiness from concept through launch. You'll work alongside the engineers who own vehicle design, program schedule, and cross-functional coordination, supporting the day-to-day work that keeps a satellite platform program moving. This role offers broad exposure to how a satellite platform comes together end-to-end, the opportunity to contribute directly to active engineering efforts, and the chance to own impactful pieces of work in K2's highly collaborative environment.
Responsibilities
- Support bus-level design integration efforts, helping track vehicle design status and technical readiness across subsystems
- Assist in developing and maintaining engineering schedules, milestones, and requirements documentation for the satellite platform
- Support cross-functional coordination with engineering teams to help assess vehicle readiness, track technical changes, and flag risks
- Help support internal design reviews, ensuring documentation aligns with requirements
- Contribute to process and analysis framework improvements that support the team's growth
- Get hands-on exposure to how a satellite platform program is run end-to-end, from design through flight readiness
Qualifications
- Must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in mechanical, electrical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
- 6+ months experience of technical engineering skills outside of the university setting classroom (eg: laboratory, research, extracurricular project teams, volunteering, personal projects or prior internship/work experience)
Additional Requirements
- Available for a minimum 12-week internship in person at our HQ in Torrance
Nice to Have
- Prior leadership experience for projects or teams
- 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
- Experience or exposure in a test or automation role
Compensation
- Hourly pay range for this non-exempt role is $30 - $40 per hour
- Hourly rate will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
- Housing and travel stipend may also be available
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.