or apply directly on K2 Space 's site. We never take the application ourselves.
Is this posting real?
- This role has been open
- 81 days K2 Space 's roles stay open a median of 81 days
- Reposted
- No
- Salary listed
- Yes 78% of K2 Space 's roles list one
- Ghost-job risk at K2 Space
- high 217 stale, 0 reposted of 220 open
- Hiring momentum
- 244 roles opened in the last 90 days ↑ up vs. the prior 90 days
- Last confirmed on the employer's board
- 2026-10-23
Measured from postings appearing on and disappearing from K2 Space 's own greenhouse board since 2026-08-03. Full hiring picture for K2 Space .
About this role
As an Optical Systems Engineer at K2, you will be responsible for the design, manufacture, testing, and deployment of optical benches for high-volume optical payloads used in various space missions. Your role encompasses the entire life cycle of optical systems, from feasibility studies to on-orbit commissioning, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure optimal system requirements and successful manufacturing processes.
- benefits
- 1/5
- freshness
- 1/5
- career value
- 4/5
- role clarity
- 5/5
- pay transparency
- 5/5
Scored from the posting itself — how clearly the role is described, how much it says about pay and benefits, and how recently it was listed. Not a judgement of K2 Space as an employer.
What you need
- Bachelor’s degree in physics, optics, computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field.
- 8+ years of experience in the design, manufacture, and test of optical systems.
- Experience designing and deploying optical systems at every phase of the product life cycle (requirements generation, design, analysis, tolerance, procure, build, align, test, deploy, operate).
Nice to have
- Familiarity with high-volume manufacturing – broad knowledge of manufacturing techniques, design for manufacturability, supply chain management, and productionization of assembly and test processes.
- Experience with optical mechanisms – specifying their requirements, knowledge of feedback and actuation methods, basic controls analysis, quantifying mechanism error, and system-level testing.
- Deep knowledge of electro-optical sensing technologies (ie. focal plane arrays, photodiodes, etc.) – their non-idealities, noise mechanisms, and mitigations, testing and characterization, and practical implementation/system integration details.
- Experience conducting experimental research, data analysis, and visualizing esoteric datasets.
- Understanding of the failure modes of electrical, mechanical, and optical systems in space environment.
What you get
- Base salary range for this role is $140,000 - $280,000 + equity in the company
- Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks.
Worth weighing
- No specific details on the company's culture or work-life balance are provided.
- The role emphasizes manufacturing, which may involve high-pressure deadlines and fast-paced work environments.
- The salary range is broad, indicating potential variability based on individual qualifications and negotiation.
- The company encourages applications from candidates who may not meet 100% of the preferred skills, which could indicate a flexible approach to hiring.
Summarised from K2 Space 's posting. Read the full original.
Listed by K2 Space on their greenhouse job board, last confirmed open on 2026-10-23. PitchMeAI is not the employer.
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