The posting
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
As K2's COMSEC Certification Lead, reporting to the VP of National Security, you will own the path to NSA certification and accreditation for our Type-1 cryptographic systems across the spacecraft and ground segment. You'll be K2's primary interface to NSA, certification authorities, and government customers. You'll drive the certification effort from requirements through approval to operate, and you'll build the COMSEC processes that carry our fleet into on-orbit operations. You'll work hand-in-hand with our Principal Crypto Engineer on the Satellite Engineering team, translating NSA requirements into engineering tasks and making sure the design meets the bar for national-security missions. This is a foundational role: you'll build the certification playbook K2 scales across every satellite we produce.
Responsibilities
- Serve as K2's primary interface to NSA, certification authorities, and government customers on cryptographic certification and accreditation
- Own the certification and accreditation effort end to end, including planning, schedule, and delivery of artifacts, test evidence, and documentation
- Translate NSA and customer security requirements into clear, actionable requirements for engineering teams
- Achieve and maintain approval to operate across K2's spacecraft and ground systems
- Establish and manage COMSEC handling, accounting, and key management planning
- Develop operational procedures for COMSEC on on-orbit fleet operations
- Identify and mitigate supply-chain compliance risks across design and production
- Build repeatable certification processes that scale across K2's satellite production line
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering, computer science, or a related technical discipline
- 5+ years of experience in COMSEC, information assurance, or cryptographic certification
- Direct experience taking a system through NSA Type-1 certification and accreditation to operational use
- Working knowledge of COMSEC handling, accounting, and key management requirements
- Proven ability to manage relationships with NSA, government customers, and certification authorities
- Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage complex documentation and schedules
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding startup atmosphere with competing priorities and aggressive schedules
Nice to Have
- Experience certifying spacecraft, satellite, or other space-system cryptographic integrations
- Experience with RMF/ATO, JSIG, or other accreditation frameworks
- Experience as a COMSEC Custodian or managing a COMSEC account
- Familiarity with cryptographic modernization initiatives and current NSA-approved algorithms and equipment
- Experience supporting on-orbit or fielded operations
Additional Requirements
- Ability to travel up to 25% of the time
- Active Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance required; ability to obtain and maintain access to additional programs as needed
- Ability to work irregular business hours to support critical project timelines or operations
Compensation and Benefits:
- Base salary range for this role is $140,000 - $200,000 + equity in the company.
- Salary will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level.
- Comprehensive benefits package including unlimited paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks .
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.
