Electrical Engineer (Early Career)

Northwood Space; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Healthcare package

401(k) plan

Paid parental leave

Generous PTO

Job summary

Northwood Space is seeking an Electrical Engineer (High Speed, Mixed Signal Electronics) in Los Angeles to drive the electrical design of high‑speed digital systems, own PCB development, and collaborate across hardware, software, RF, and firmware teams to optimize overall system performance.

Responsibilities include schematic capture, PCB layout oversight, and bring‑up on FPGA/microcontrollers with lab and field validation to production readiness; compensation ranges from $100k–$130k with equity

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
• 0-4+ years of professional experience in electrical design.

Responsibilities

• Drive electrical design for high-speed digital systems and RF/mixed-signal designs on multilayer PCBs.
• Perform schematic capture, PCB layout oversight, and bring-up/validation on diverse digital systems including FPGAs and microcontrollers.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, RF, antenna, FPGA, and firmware engineers to optimize system performance and design integration.
• Test prototypes in lab and field to assess and improve performance.
• Partner with production teams to develop testable, manufacturable products.

Skills

High-speed PCB design

Signal integrity

Collaborative skills

Troubleshooting EMI/EMC

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Tools

Schematic capture tools

PCB layout tools

Job description

Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions. If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it.

Northwood is on a mission to transform connectivity between Earth and space. Satellites are only as powerful as the ground systems that connect to them - without that critical infrastructure, they can’t be steered or send their data back to Earth. Northwood’s global ground network ensures that missions ranging from national security, to global connectivity, to disaster response can unlock their full potential and operate every day without fail. We take a vertically integrated approach to building an end-to-end ground system, delivering technology that is scalable and reliable for both government and commercial customers.

Backed by over $100M from investors like Andreessen Horowitz, Washington Harbour Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, Founders Fund, and others, Northwood has proven its ability to move fast – we’ve stood up a fully operational site in Australia in just 3 months, where similar efforts typically take years.

Northwood is rapidly scaling its global footprint, with 30+ sites planned across 2026 and 2027. We’re building and deploying infrastructure at a pace the industry hasn’t seen before. If you thrive on building quickly, solving hard problems, and seeing your work deployed globally on critical missions, we want you at Northwood.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER (HIGH SPEED, MIXED SIGNAL ELECTRONICS)

As an Electrical Engineer at Northwood, you will drive the electrical design of high-speed digital systems, own key aspects of PCB development, and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to optimize overall system performance. You will contribute to architecture trades, prototype bring-up, testing in lab and field settings, and ensure designs transition smoothly to production. Your work will directly support our mission to enable faster, more capable space operations through innovative ground infrastructure.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Drive electrical design for high-speed digital communication systems, implementing RF and mixed-signal designs in complex, multilayer PCBs

• Work with 100G high-speed networking, intricate digital power trees, and lead system trades to inform architecture decisions

• Perform schematic capture, PCB layout oversight, and bring-up/validation on diverse digital systems including FPGAs, microcontrollers, and associated peripherals

• Collaborate closely with hardware, software, RF, antenna, FPGA, and firmware engineers to optimize system performance and design integration

• Test prototypes rigorously in the lab and field to assess and improve performance

• Partner with production teams to develop testable, manufacturable products for efficient in-house integration and scaling

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related engineering discipline

• 0-4+ years of professional experience in electrical design (internships, co-ops, and project experience qualify)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Proficiency in high-density/high-speed PCB design, including FPGAs, high-speed data converters, SerDes, 10/100 GigE networking, and JESD204C interfaces

• Strong experience with schematic capture tools and best practices in PCB layout for signal integrity and power distribution

• Hands‑on troubleshooting of EMI/EMC issues (conducted or radiated)

• Knowledge of PCB materials selection and board stack‑up definition for high-performance applications

• Familiarity with soldering, hot air rework, and prototype assembly techniques

• Experience across the full product lifecycle, from concept through production ramp‑up

• Strong collaborative skills, enthusiasm for solving complex engineering challenges, and passion for advancing space communications technology

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Electrical Engineer/Level 1: $100,000 - $110,000 per year

Electrical Engineer/Level 2: $104,000 - $130,000 per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related knowledge, skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Northwood. You may also be eligible for equity in the form of stock options or other long‑term incentives, as well as potential performance bonuses. We offer comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan, short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, generous paid time off, and various other perks and discounts.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Northwood is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood 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.

Additional Information:

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

Northwood Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood Space 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.