Principal Security Engineer, Operations

K2 Space • Los Angeles, CA

3h • $155,000 - $185,000

About The Position

You will play a defining role in how K2 Space secures and scales its corporate operations. You’ll architect the security foundations that protect our people, systems, and data while enabling the rapid development and operation of high-powered satellites. This role is about building security into the fabric of the company – across identity, endpoints, networks, and cloud platforms—so teams can move quickly and confidently. As K2 Space grows from early missions to sustained operations, your work will directly enable scale without friction. The security architecture and standards you establish will shape how the company operates and protects its most ambitious work for years to come.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in security operations or engineering roles preferably in a fast-paced startup or technology environment
• 3+ years of development experience with any modern programming language (including but not limited to Python, C++, Rust, Go)
• Knowledge of operating systems, current equipment and technologies, networking, security best practices, and system performance monitoring tools
• Comfortable working with mission critical and sensitive systems, with a sense of urgency appropriate with responsibilities
• Due to the high visibility of this position, excellent interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in computer science or engineering
• Technical certifications (i.e., Network+, MCSE, Security+)

Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal technical authority for corporate security engineering, defining the long-term security architecture that protects K2 Space’s people, systems, and data
• Architect and govern security controls across corporate IT environments, including identity and access management, endpoint security, network security, SaaS platforms, and cloud services
• Establish and own enterprise security standards, reference architectures, and design patterns to ensure consistency, scalability, and defense-in-depth
• Lead the design and implementation of zero trust security principles across corporate operations, integrating identity, device posture, and network controls
• Act as the final technical escalation point for complex or high-impact security incidents, leading root-cause analysis and driving durable corrective actions
• Partner closely with IT, network, and infrastructure teams to embed security into systems design, operational processes, and automation workflows
• Influence executive leadership through clear risk assessments, threat modeling, and trade-off analysis tied to business impact and mission outcomes
• Evaluate, select, and govern security technologies and vendors; drive strategic adoption, optimization, and deprecation decisions
• Design and oversee security automation and detection capabilities, improving visibility, response time, and operational efficiency
• Ensure corporate systems meet regulatory, compliance, and contractual security requirements, translating controls into practical engineering implementations.
• Mentor senior and staff-level security and IT engineers, raising the organization’s security engineering maturity and technical bar
• Represent corporate security engineering in cross-functional architecture reviews, audits, and enterprise technology planning forums

Benefits

• Base salary range for this role is $155,000 – $185,000 and 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 paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees