Avionics Engineer: Space Robotics & In-Orbit Upgrades

Cox Exponential; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Phenix Space is seeking a hands-on electrical engineer to own avionics hardware from architecture through flight. You will work across hardware, software, robotics, and GNC teams to develop robust space-ready systems for onboard computing, power and sensors.

The role requires leading hardware decisions, performing bring-up, and delivering flight-ready hardware for missions in varied orbits. This is a hands-on position with fast iteration and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD in electrical/Mechatronics/Aerospace engineering or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years owning electrical or avionics hardware through full lifecycle.
• Experience with schematic capture and PCB design for complex digital, mixed-signal and power boards.
• Hands-on bring-up: firmware flashing and bench debugging with scopes & logic analyzers.

Responsibilities

• Own avionics hardware through full lifecycle: architecture, schematic, layout, bring-up and flight support.
• Translate prototypes into space-ready, robust hardware.
• Make trade-offs on processors, safety microcontrollers, and redundancy considering performance, power, radiation tolerance, cost, schedule.
• Design for LEO/MEO/GEO environments and support actuators and sensors hardware.
• Interface electronics handling power and high-speed data through connectors; manage power architecture for peak loads.
• Leading avionics architecture decisions and interfaces with mechanical, robotics, propulsion and software.

Skills

Schematic capture

PCB design

Firmware bring-up

Embedded C/C++

Python

Bus interfaces

Electronics trade-offs

Radiation-tolerant concepts

Education

B.S., M.S. or PhD in electrical engineering, mechatronics, computer or aerospace engineering, or equivalent experience

Tools

EtherCAT

CAN

SPI

I2C

UART

Job description

Phenix Space is seeking a hands-on electrical engineer to own avionics hardware from architecture through flight. You will work across hardware, software, robotics, and GNC teams to develop robust space-ready systems for onboard computing, power and sensors.

The role requires leading hardware decisions, performing bring-up, and delivering flight-ready hardware for missions in varied orbits. This is a hands-on position with fast iteration and cross-functional collaboration.