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KS
K2 Space
Senior FPGA Engineer
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What they do
An Embedded Software Engineer designs or improves the embedded computer software that supports specialized hardware for certain products, devices or systems. Oversees the entire software development process. Analyzes customer or user needs, designs programs, writes code or instructs computer programmers, tests design, and documents programs. May assist with upgrades or maintenance.
$144,070 / year median in Washington
+9% projected growth
Job Description
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 The software team at K2 strives to blur the lines between the various types of software development and encourages team members to get into parts of the stack they may not otherwise have experience with. This spectrum includes HDL programming (VHDL, SystemVerilog), embedded software on microcontrollers (Rust, C++), operating systems (Rust, C++, C), application software on flight computers (Rust, C++), GNC algorithms (Rust, C++), to test systems (Python), and many things inbetween. By doing this, we create a stronger team with more capable engineers. For now, this does not include front-end, artificial intelligence, or machine learning development. As a part of the team, you will be responsible for the development and verification of FPGA firmware used to fly some of the largest spacecraft that have ever been flown. You will be able to write mission-critical code that controls propulsion systems, attitude control systems, RF systems, and power systems to ensure safe and reliable operation of the vehicle. In your first 6 months you will work with your team to develop core pieces of the FPGA architecture such as the strategies for fault tolerance, real-time control, high-speed data routing, and telemetry downlink. In your first year you will implement larger and more complex FPGA systems and begin verifying your code using both software and hardware in the loop simulators. In your first two years you will operate your code on multiple spacecraft, demonstrating robust performance in demanding missions. Responsibilities Own the architecture and implementation of critical programmable logic systems across the spacecraft that support vehicle networking, RF systems, and real-time control of all spacecraft subsystems Implement these architectures in RTL using VHDL and SystemVerilog Verify and validate FPGA designs using a mix of simulation, bench-testing, and Hardware In The Loop testbeds Support integration, test, and troubleshooting efforts for FPGA designs across all levels of the spacecraft development and manufacturing Develop the tools and infrastructure to support rapid, high-reliability FPGA solutions across all subsystems Qualifications Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, math, or a STEM discipline or 3+ years of professional experience in software development 3+ years working with complex FPGA designs spanning digital, mixed signal, or RF applications Development experience with VHDL or SystemVerilog Nice to Have Experience integrating logic onto Xilinx SoC platforms Experience with digital signal processing (DSP) fundamentals and implementing complex DSP logic and software defined radios on FPGAs Experience implementing high-speed SERDES interfaces such as Ethernet, PCIe, and