Electrical Engineer: High‑Speed RF & Digital Systems

Northwood; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology firm in Los Angeles is seeking an Electrical Engineer to drive the development of digital compute and power electronics. This role involves designing and testing high-speed digital communication systems and requires experience in electrical design, PCB layout, and collaboration with cross-functional teams. The successful candidate will have a profound impact by ensuring high-rate processing capabilities in innovative technologies. The position offers a competitive salary and a full-time employment type.

Qualifications

• 0-4+ years of professional experience in electrical design.
• Proficient in high-density/high-speed design including FPGAs and networking.
• Experience with troubleshooting EMI/EMC.

Responsibilities

• Drive electrical design for high speed digital communication systems.
• Work with 100G high speed networking and create system architecture.
• Test prototypes and assess performance in the lab.

Skills

High-density/high-speed design

Schematic capture

Good PCB layout design

Troubleshooting EMI/EMC

Knowledge of PCB materials

Soldering

Full product lifecycle experience

Job description

About Northwood:

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.

Role:

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 Qualifications:

• 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

Additional Requirements:

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

Compensation:

Electrical Engineer/Level 1: $88,000-$110,000 per year

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

Additional Information:

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

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 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.