Software Engineering Intern – Summer 2027

K2 Space Corporation builds high-power satellites for missions across multiple orbits and deep space. The Software Engineering Intern will own a software engineering project end-to-end, support on-orbit spacecraft operations, and work with cyber-physical system simulators, satellite sensors and actuators, build systems, and GNC algorithms. The role involves developing reliable spacecraft control software, analyzing data and anomalies, and supporting subsystem integration and testing.

What you'll do:

• Create software architecture for real-time, fault-tolerant control of a 20kW+ spacecraft
• Develop software applications for control of spacecraft subsystems, including propulsion, guidance/attitude control, thermal, power, and communications systems
• Design and implement state machines for robust operation of the spacecraft
• Create and utilize robust tools to allow for rapid deployment of quality code
• Perform data analysis and anomaly investigation to identify and resolve software bugs
• Support integration and testing of the spacecraft subsystems
• Build and maintain infrastructure to increase reliability when developing and testing software

What they're looking for:

• Must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or other relevant engineering discipline
• 6+ months of experience using technical engineering skills outside of the university classroom setting (eg: laboratory, research, extracurricular project teams, volunteering, personal projects or prior internship/work experience)
• Development experience in Rust, C/C++, or Go
• Available for a minimum 12 week internship in person at our HQ in Torrance
• Ability to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment, including frequent interactions with technicians, engineers, and managers
• Experience with spacecraft flight software development
• Experience with Linux systems programming and driver development
• Experience with continuous integration and continuous delivery systems
• Experience building or working with hard real-time embedded systems (bare-metal or RTOS)
• Basic knowledge of electronics, computer architecture, and control systems
• Experience defining and creating test systems for both hardware-in-the-loop and hardware-out-of-the-loop

Benefits:

• Housing and travel stipend may also be available