Chief Electrical Architect - Spacecraft & Avionics

Firefly Aerospace; Cedar Park (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace in Texas seeks an Electrical Engineering Chief Engineer to lead the design, development, integration and verification of spaceborne electrical and avionics systems. You will serve as the technical authority for spacecraft electrical architectures across multiple programs, guiding multidisciplinary teams toward flight-ready hardware.

You will own the baseline, drive design reviews, ensure environmental qualification, and mentor engineers while aligning with mission objectives

Qualifications

• 15 years of progressive experience in electrical or avionics engineering for aerospace systems including leadership
• Technical authority on flight hardware programs owning architecture and design integrity
• Deep knowledge of spacecraft/power systems and avionics data handling
• Experience with space environmental qualification and radiation effects
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and balance technical performance with schedule constraints
• Experience taking designs from concept to flight-qualified hardware
• Willingness/ability to obtain security clearance if required

Responsibilities

• Own the technical baseline and architectural direction for electrical and avionics systems across Hardware Firmware Harnessing Launch Vehicle Systems and Spacecraft Systems
• Define and own spacecraft and launch vehicle electrical architectures including power generation, distribution, storage, command and data handling, interfaces and harnessing
• Lead design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR) and risk assessments; approve design maturity
• Drive modular architecture to maximize reuse across vehicles and spacecraft
• Provide direction to electrical power, avionics, FPGA/ASIC, firmware and harness teams; review key artifacts and test plans
• Lead trade studies and radiation tolerance and derating analyses to optimize performance and cost
• Ensure compliance with space environmental requirements and qualification processes
• Guide integration and test strategies across functional areas
• Support failure analysis and root cause corrective actions during development and in flight
• Mentor engineers and promote rigorous engineering practices

Skills

Technical leadership

System architecture

Power systems design

Avionics data handling

Trade studies

Communication skills

Staff mentoring

Problem solving

Education

Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a closely related field

Tools

SpaceWire

CAN

MIL-STD-1553

Ethernet

Job description

Firefly Aerospace in Texas seeks an Electrical Engineering Chief Engineer to lead the design, development, integration and verification of spaceborne electrical and avionics systems. You will serve as the technical authority for spacecraft electrical architectures across multiple programs, guiding multidisciplinary teams toward flight-ready hardware.

You will own the baseline, drive design reviews, ensure environmental qualification, and mentor engineers while aligning with mission objectives