Electrical Engineer

Samara Aerospace; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Platinum-level healthcare, vision, dental, and life insurance

401(k) matching at 4%

Unlimited PTO and sick time

Catered lunch 3x per week

Education assistance up to $5,250 annually

Relocation assistance

17 paid holidays

Job summary

Samara Aerospace is looking for an Electrical Engineer in San Francisco to lead the design and testing of printed circuit boards for spacecraft electronics. You will collaborate with a talented team and own your designs from concept to production in a dynamic startup environment.

The role offers a competitive salary range of $130,000 to $160,000 annually, along with benefits including equity, healthcare, and unlimited PTO. Join us in revolutionizing satellite design!

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of professional experience with PCB design and layout.
• Familiarity with PCB manufacturing processes and DFM principles.
• Strong interest in working in a fast-paced, iterative environment.

Responsibilities

• Own PCB Design from circuit design through testing.
• Conduct trade studies balancing various design factors.
• Support spacecraft and board-level integration with hands-on assistance.

Skills

PCB design and layout using Altium Designer

Hands-on hardware development

Clear communication skills

Education

BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field

Tools

Altium Designer

Job description

Samara Aerospace is revolutionizing satellite design by addressing the challenges of deploying and managing large satellite constellations. Our innovative Hummingbird spacecraft bus offers a modular and scalable platform that streamlines satellite production and deployment, significantly reducing launch costs. Hummingbird's compact architecture maximizes launch capacity, making it the most efficient and agile spacecraft in the industry. At the core of our technology is the patented Multifunctional Structures for Attitude Control (MSAC) system. Unlike traditional wheel-based pointing control systems, MSAC utilizes actuators embedded in the hinges of deployable solar panels to provide 3-axis attitude control and active jitter cancellation. This design eliminates the need for spinning wheels, reducing mass and potential points of failure, while enhancing pointing precision.

Role

The Electrical Engineering team at Samara is seeking an Electrical Engineer to lead the design, layout, and testing of printed circuit boards for spacecraft electronics at our headquarters in San Francisco. This is a startup environment where you will own designs end-to-end, from early concept through production. A strong problem-solving background, hands‑on testing skills, and experience with high‑density PCB design and electronics integration are essential. You will work closely with experienced electrical, mechanical, and embedded software engineers to ensure the Hummingbird satellite's electronics are robust, manufacturable, and ready for the space environment.

Responsibilities

• Own PCB Design from circuit design, schematic capture, and PCB layout through bring‑up testing.
• Conduct trade studies that balance electrical performance, signal integrity, thermal management, manufacturability, cost, and schedule.
• Collaborate with embedded software engineers during board bring‑up, debugging, and hardware‑software integration.
• Support spacecraft and board‑level integration, including hands‑on assistance with electronics assembly, rework, and system testing.
• Plan, support, and analyze board‑level environmental testing including radiation, vibration, and thermal vacuum (TVAC) campaigns.
• Contribute to documentation, design reviews, and test reports.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 1–3 years of professional experience with PCB design and layout using Altium Designer.
• Familiarity with PCB manufacturing processes, design‑for‑manufacturing (DFM) principles, and assembly techniques.
• Strong interest in hands‑on hardware development and working in a fast‑paced, iterative environment.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to collaborate across disciplines.

Preferred

• Experience with high‑speed digital design, impedance‑controlled routing, or mixed‑signal layout techniques.
• Experience with RF circuit design, radio and communication subsystems, or antenna design and integration.
• Experience with environmental testing or qualifying hardware for harsh operating conditions.
• Spacecraft, aerospace, or high‑reliability hardware experience.

Salary and Benefits

• Pay range: $130,000–160,000 annually to start
• Early and competitive equity in a rapidly growing startup
• Platinum-level healthcare, vision, dental, and life insurance covered 100% for you
• 401(k) matching at 4% (no vesting)
• Unlimited PTO and sick time
• Catered lunch 3x per week
• Education assistance up to $5,250 per year
• Relocation assistance is available
• 17 paid holidays (including a "winter break" Dec. 24–Jan. 1)

Work Authorization

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Samara Aerospace does not currently sponsor employment visas for this position.
Employment eligibility will be verified upon hire in accordance with federal law.
Samara Aerospace does not require U.S. citizenship for this role.

As set forth in Samara Aerospace's Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.