Principal Program Scheduler

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 Can you bring order to chaos and keep programs on track when the stakes are sky-high? We’re looking for a Principal Program Scheduler to architect and maintain end-to-end development timelines across diverse projects – from initial concept studies to on-orbit testing. You will operate across engineering, operations, and production teams to create detailed program plans and scalable solutions to drive execution for multiple programs. This role uniquely spans both government and commercial efforts, requiring a dynamic approach to planning across multiple priorities and stakeholders. You’ll collaborate with technical leads and program managers to track milestones, flag risks, and keep delivery aligned with aggressive schedules. This role demands both strategic insight and hands-on execution, coordinating non-recurring engineering, spacecraft builds, ground infrastructure, software development, and launch operations. If you're energized by solving complex scheduling puzzles and want to help shape the future of National Security and commercial space, this is your mission. Responsibilities Create, own, and drive master schedules for new satellite programs from inception through launch and on-orbit operations Develop, communicate, and deliver clear, data-driven critical path schedules and progress updates to internal teams and customers Collaborate with engineering, operations, and production teams to assure alignment to ground truth milestones Rapidly assess new and ongoing projects, identify required dependencies from internal and external stakeholders Gain deep operational insight into K2’s engineering, manufacturing, and launch workflows to drive accurate schedules and process improvements Lead fast-paced, high impact reviews as needed to keep plans current and actionable Perform complex what-if analysis and recommend paths forward to Leadership Build schedule tools and reports to enable time-relevant decision-making Proactively monitor engineering data sources to enable more accurate schedules Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, finance, operations management, or a related field 8+ years of experience with project planning and integrated master scheduling  Experience integrating schedules within the same tool, and from third parties and various data sources Experience interfacing with External and Internal Leadership Experience performing critical path and what-if analysis Experience with schedule health metrics and work breakdown structures Experience with summary schedule reporting tools such as Microsoft Timeline or equivalent Highly proficient with Smartsheet, MS Project, Primavera, and/or other similar-to schedule applications or processes Nice to have  Experience working in a fast-paced environment with cross-functional engineering and operations teams, familiarity with the engineering development life cycle Experience with first-of engineering projects and scaled production efforts Ability to support concurrent projects, executing with clear guidance and operating in ambiguity, connecting pieces of the puzzle and raising issues before they arise Experience with engineering development projects Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with extreme attention to detail Ability to set the appropriate cadence for updates, and pivot when necessary Additional Requirements Active Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance preferred; willing to pursue and maintain a clearance if not already cleared Ability to work irregular business hours to support proposals or critical project timelines Compensation and Benefits Base salary range for this role is $160,000- $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.