# Senior Photonics Engineer, Free-Space Optics at K2 Space

- Company: K2 Space
- What the company does: Building the largest satellites in orbit. Ultra-powerful, scalable platforms engineered for LEO, MEO, GEO and cislunar missions. Explore the next-generation of satellites. Backed by Kleiner Perkins, First Round and ICONIQ.
- Company website: https://www.k2space.com/#
- Type: Startups
- Level: Senior
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Work setup: On-site
- Pay: $150K to $220K base salary per year (USD)
- Posted: 2026-10-23
- Apply by: 2026-12-07
- Apply: https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/k2spacecorporation/jobs/5462953008?utm_source=1752vc&utm_medium=careers
- Page: https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/k2-space-senior-photonics-engineer-free-space-optics/

## About the role

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. Found on 1752vc Careers, the job board for startup and VC roles.

## What they're looking for

- Put receivers in the loop (free-space optics, fiber and photonic-chip front ends, and their control electronics) and measure coupling efficiency, fading, bit error rate, and control-loop bandwidth
- Characterize wavefront sensing and correction hardware (Shack-Hartmann sensors, deformable mirrors, SLMs) alongside photonic-integrated alternatives
- Own K2's optical propagation and channel models long-term: build them in Python, calibrate them continuously against lab and field data, quantify their uncertainty, and turn the results into requirements
- Define the experiment roadmap: decide which measurements most reduce model uncertainty, and set the lab-to-field test plan
- Automate experiments on the team's shared test framework so lab and field data share one pipeline
- Mentor engineers and technicians supporting the experiments

Tags: Photonics

Source: 1752vc Careers, https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/k2-space-senior-photonics-engineer-free-space-optics/