We are looking to add a Staff Electrical Engineer to lead Command and Data Handling (C&DH) subsystem development for our Element Satellite team. If you are great at what you do, enjoy working in a startup environment, and are passionate about developing electrical systems for leading-edge communications satellites, we would like to hear from you.
In this position, you will be responsible for designing and delivering the C&DH subsystem for high-volume, cutting-edge communication satellites. You will own the C&DH subsystem block diagram (in alignment with electrical architects), subsystem-level analysis, make-buy trades, trade studies for “buy” items, technical vendor interactions, subsystem Design Verification Testing (DVT), hardware delivery, and on-orbit support.
As a Satellite team member, you will work on a small team to develop satellites and put them in orbit. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with satellite architects and our internal component development team to create a long-term roadmap. You will be a key point of contact for satellite software, mechanical, and AI&T teams. You will provide creative solutions to complex problems to push the boundaries of spacecraft design.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Direct technical definition, implementation, and verification of satellite avionics systems.
- Define and maintain C&DH subsystem architecture and interfaces.
- Conduct make/buy trades.
- Represent C&DH by interfacing with the satellite systems, mechanical, software, and AI&T teams.
- Collaborate on in-house solutions to advance satellite performance and manufacturability at scale.
- Make effective decisions given limited input and analysis while driving the team to produce and iterate hardware.
- Design and execute box-level and subsystem-level test plans for design verification testing, qualification testing, and/or acceptance testing.
- Prepare and deliver technical communications to company leadership and executives.
- Deliver reliable, performant space avionics system for spaceflight missions.
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering from an accredited university.
- Minimum of 8 years of industry experience in spacecraft electrical system design, analysis, manufacturing, test, and troubleshooting. A Master's degree may count as two years of experience.
- Strong understanding of electronics and electrical engineering fundamentals.
- Understanding of the subsystems required in a spacecraft electrical system including processors, digital I/O, timing signals, power rails, and grounding.
- Experience with successful rapid prototype, iteration, and flight delivery cycles.
- Proficiency in electrical system design and analysis, including electrical ICD definition, requirement derivation, digital I/O standards, power interfaces, connectors, and cabling.
- Hands-on experience with lab instruments such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, electronic loads, and signal generators to debug, test, and validate high-reliability electronics.
- Experience with satellite electrical system concepts such as data and memory budgets, telemetry, flight software controls, and electronics thermal management.
- Understanding of space electronics supply chain, production issues, test processes, and flight operations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- Experience with multiple distinct spacecraft electrical architectures that drives your vision for the next generation of spacecraft.
- Python, C++, MATLAB, or other programming languages.
- Experience evaluating and testing hardware for effects due to TID, SEE, EMI, and relevant phenomena.
- Familiarity with environmental testing including thermal, shock, vibration, and TVAC.
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering from an accredited university
- At least 8 years of industry experience in spacecraft electrical system design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, and troubleshooting; a Master's degree may count as two years
- Strong understanding of electronics and electrical engineering fundamentals
- Understanding of spacecraft electrical subsystems, including processors, digital I/O, timing signals, power rails, and grounding
- Experience with rapid prototyping, iteration, and flight delivery cycles
- Proficiency in electrical system design and analysis, electrical ICD definition, requirements derivation, digital I/O standards, power interfaces, connectors, and cabling
- Hands-on experience using oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, electronic loads, and signal generators
- Experience with spacecraft electrical concepts including data and memory budgets, telemetry, flight software controls, and electronics thermal management
- Deep understanding of space electronics supply chains, production issues, test processes, and flight operations
- Familiarity with embedded systems and bare-metal microprocessor programming
- Familiarity with control systems and PMSM/BLDC motor control algorithms
- Experience with multiple distinct spacecraft electrical architectures
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Python, C++, MATLAB, or other programming languages
- Experience evaluating and testing hardware for TID, SEE, EMI, and related effects
- Familiarity with thermal, shock, vibration, and TVAC environmental testing
- Familiarity with ADS SI/PI or similar signal integrity and power integrity analysis tools
CesiumAstro Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about CesiumAstro and has not been reviewed or approved by CesiumAstro.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, plus FSAs and mental health benefits. Feedback suggests the health package is comprehensive for a growth-stage aerospace firm.
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Retirement Support — Offerings include a 401(k) with company matching and other retirement-plan elements. Feedback suggests core retirement mechanisms are in place alongside standard financial benefits.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Generous PTO, paid holidays, paid sick days, and bereavement leave are included. Feedback suggests time-off options are broad on paper across multiple leave types.
CesiumAstro Insights
What We Do
We build high-throughput, plug-and-play phased array communication payloads for space and airborne platforms. CesiumAstro’s full-stack, multi-mission hardware and software products enable a diverse range of commercial and defense objectives. Full-system engineering design is at the heart of every CesiumAstro product. We deliver high-performance solutions under rapid development timelines.
Why Work With Us
At CesiumAstro, we’re a team. We’re passionate, respectful, and determined colleagues ready to help at a moment’s notice. We’re mentors excited to enable our peers with the knowledge they need to succeed. Together, we’re visionaries committing to building memories that will last a lifetime.
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