Principal Application Software Engineer

About this role

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

As a Principal Application Software Engineer on our Enterprise Team, you will design and build mission-critical software that connects engineering, manufacturing, and operations. Your work will directly enable accelerated satellite design, rapid production, and reliable mission execution. You’ll collaborate closely with teams throughout K2 Space and deliver systems that improve efficiency, scale operations, and support ambitious missions.

Responsibilities

• Develop highly reliable software solutions used across K2 Space — from factory floors to mission control.

• Create and evolve applications that improve how we design, build, and operate our spacecraft.

• Partner closely with engineers, business partners, and leaders across disciplines to understand their challenges and design efficient solutions.

• Develop prototypes test concept and progress to full fledge software products.

• Own full-lifecycle product development from inception to happy customers.

• Lead architecture reviews, design discussions, and code reviews with your unique perspective.

• Lead software architecture design, deployment strategy, coding standards, and quality processes.

• Evaluate and make decisions regarding engineering options while balancing tradeoffs.