Who We Are
GITAI is a vertically integrated space and defense company building the next generation of hardware for low-Earth-orbit missions.
At our core is the space robotics technology that has defined GITAI from the beginning. A small, highly capable engineering team applies that foundation across satellite buses, in-orbit servicing robotics, and mission hardware for applications such as Earth observation. Today, a major focus of our work is supporting U.S. national security missions, particularly through proliferated LEO satellite constellations and other next-generation space systems.
We design, build, integrate, and test much of our hardware in-house. Electrical, mechanical, software, manufacturing, integration, and test teams work closely together, allowing a small team to own complete systems rather than isolated components. This vertical integration helps us move quickly, learn directly from hardware, and shorten the path from architecture to a working system.
We are still early. The systems, the company, and the market are all being built at the same time. Requirements change, technical problems are often ambiguous, and many answers do not yet exist. We are looking for exceptional engineers and operators who want broad ownership, can work across disciplines, and are willing to stay close to the hardware until the mission succeeds.
Your Mission
As an Early Career Electrical Engineer at GITAI, you will design, build, and test board-level electrical hardware for spacecraft, robotic systems, and space defense programs. This is a hands-on PCB design and avionics hardware role. You will work across the full hardware lifecycle, including schematic capture, PCB layout, fabrication, assembly, board bring-up, debugging, and system integration. We do not expect you to already know how to build space hardware. No prior space, aerospace, or defense experience is required. Strong candidates may come from university engineering teams, research labs, internships, robotics, automotive, drones, medical devices, industrial equipment, consumer electronics, or other hardware environments. What matters is that you have already spent meaningful time designing real electronics and turning those designs into working hardware. You will work closely with experienced electrical, mechanical, firmware, software, manufacturing, and systems engineers. You will be given real ownership early. The problems will not always be well defined, and the design that looks right on paper will sometimes fail on the bench. You will be expected to learn quickly, debug methodically, and keep the hardware moving.
What You’ll Drive
- Design schematics and PCB layouts for spacecraft and robotic systems.
- Take PCBAs from design release through fabrication, assembly, bring-up, and test.
- Debug board-level hardware and drive issues to root cause.
- Work with mechanical, firmware/software, and manufacturing engineers to integrate hardware into complete systems.
- Support hardware testing, failure investigation, and design iteration.
What We’re Looking For
- 2+ years of hands-on PCB design experience using Altium or a similar ECAD tool.
- Experience taking at least one PCB from schematic and layout through fabrication, bring-up, and test.
- Hands-on PCBA debugging experience using standard lab equipment.
- Practical knowledge of PCB fabrication, assembly, and DFM.
- Strong fundamentals in board-level electrical design.
- No prior aerospace, space, or defense industry experience required.
Location & Employment Details
- Location: Torrance, CA (onsite). Travel to test sites (including Mojave and the greater Los Angeles area) is expected based on program needs.
- Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt
- Compensation
- Base salary for this role is expexted to range from $100,000 to $125,000 per year.
- Final compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, interview performance, and role fit. This position is also eligible for equity.
- Typical Work Hours: Monday to Friday, approximately 9:00am – 6:00pm (onsite). Flexibility is expected based on mission schedules and program needs.
Benefits
- Health Insurance – Platinum medical plan with 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees; 90% for dependents
- 401(k) Plan – Company match up to 3.5%, with traditional and Roth options
- Equity – Stock option eligibility depending on role
- Relocation Support – Available for qualifying positions
- Time Off – 12 paid holidays per year, 12 days of paid vacation per year, and paid sick leave (in accordance with applicable law)
- Office Perks – Free snacks and drinks, plus regular team events
No agency submissions, please.
Compensation may include base salary or hourly pay and, depending on the position, equity. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skillset, and other job-related factors.
Important Notice
- Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
- To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), GITAI Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable.
- GITAI USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment with GITAI USA 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.
Skills Required
- 2+ years of hands-on PCB design experience using Altium or a similar ECAD tool
- Experience taking at least one PCB from schematic and layout through fabrication, bring-up, and test
- Hands-on PCBA debugging experience using standard lab equipment
- Practical knowledge of PCB fabrication, assembly, and design for manufacturability (DFM)
- Strong fundamentals in board-level electrical design
- Current authorization to work in the United States
- U.S. citizenship, lawful U.S. permanent residency, refugee or asylum status, or eligibility to obtain required export-control authorizations
What We Do
GITAI is a space robotics startup that aims to provide a safe and affordable means of labor in space. We aim to provide robots to help build and maintain satellites, lunar colonies and even cities on Mars. GITAI is bringing together the best talents in the world to make this dream a reality. GITAI is relatively small but rapidly growing. Over half of our full-time employees have PhDs in engineering and science and three are former research associates from the University of Tokyo. GITAI has many exciting projects at various levels of development and testing, from early concepts to laboratory prototypes to our technical demonstration robot currently deployed in a commercial module of the International Space Station.
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