Electrical Engineer III / IV - Spacecraft Programs

InvestedintheMission; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 125,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Job summary

Quantum Space is seeking an Electrical Engineer III/IV to lead the design, development, integration, and testing of spacecraft subsystems in avionics, power, or communications. You will own subsystem architectures, define interfaces, and drive flight readiness across complex programs in a fast-paced environment.

The role involves collaboration with systems, propulsion, thermal, mechanical, GNC, flight software, manufacturing, and AI&T teams, plus participation in major reviews and hands-on

Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline (M.S. preferred).
• 7+ years of relevant spacecraft electrical engineering experience for Engineer III.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible spacecraft electrical engineering experience with leadership for Engineer IV.
• Experience in Avionics, Electrical Power Systems, RF Communications, or related spacecraft electrical subsystem development.
• Experience with spacecraft interfaces RS-422/485, LVDS, SpaceWire, Gigabit Ethernet, CAN, SPI, I2C, and Discrete I/O.
• Experience developing subsystem requirements, ICDs, integration plans, and verification documentation.
• Strong systems engineering mindset, troubleshooting ability, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Comfortable working in fast-paced spacecraft development environments.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end development of a spacecraft electrical subsystem (Avionics, Power, or Communications).
• Derive requirements and define subsystem architectures.
• Lead integration planning and verification across programs.
• Author ICDs/EICDs, requirements, and test procedures.
• Support AI&T, environmental testing, launch campaigns, and anomaly resolution.
• Coordinate suppliers, hardware vendors, and schedule-critical deliveries.
• Participate in SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR, and other reviews.
• Mentor junior engineers (Level IV to provide technical leadership).

Skills

Avionics

Power Systems

RF Communications

SpaceWire

Gigabit Ethernet

CAN

SPI

I2C

Systems Engineering

Technical Leadership

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

M.S. preferred

Tools

Cadence

Altium

OrCAD

LTSpice

Job description

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking an Electrical Engineer III / IV to support our Spacecraft Programs by leading the design, development, integration, and testing of spacecraft Avionics, Electrical Power, or Communications subsystems. This role is intended for an experienced engineer capable of owning subsystem architecture, interface definition, integration planning, verification, and flight readiness across complex spacecraft programs.
You will collaborate with systems, propulsion, thermal, mechanical, GNC, flight software, manufacturing, and AI&T teams to deliver reliable flight hardware for next-generation Ranger spacecraft.

Where You’ll Make an Impact

• Own the end-to-end development of a spacecraft electrical subsystem (Avionics, Power, or Communications) by deriving requirements, performing subsystem analyses, executing technical trade studies, and defining subsystem architectures.
• Resolve complex integration challenges and make critical system-level technical decisions throughout spacecraft development.
• Author and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs/EICDs), requirements, test procedures, and technical documentation.
• Support spacecraft AI&T, environmental testing (TVAC, vibration, EMI/EMC), launch campaigns, and anomaly resolution.
• Coordinate suppliers, hardware vendors, manufacturing partners, and schedule-critical deliveries.
• Participate in SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR, and other technical reviews.
• Mentor junior engineers (Level IV expected to provide technical leadership).

What It Takes

• S. in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline (M.S. preferred).
• Engineer III: typically 7+ years of relevant spacecraft electrical engineering experience.
• Engineer IV: typically 10+ years of progressively responsible spacecraft electrical engineering experience with demonstrated technical leadership.
• Experience in Avionics, Electrical Power Systems, RF Communications, or related spacecraft electrical subsystem development.
• Experience with spacecraft interfaces including RS-422/485, LVDS, SpaceWire, Gigabit Ethernet, CAN, SPI, I2C, and Discrete I/O.
• Experience developing subsystem requirements, ICDs, integration plans, and verification documentation.
• Strong systems engineering mindset, troubleshooting ability, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Comfortable working in fast-paced spacecraft development environments.

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Spacecraft mission operations or long-duration mission experience.
• Radiation, reliability, fault tolerance, EMI/EMC, and EEE parts knowledge.
• Cadence, Altium, OrCAD, LTSpice, or similar ECAD/simulation tools.
• FPGA-based systems including hardware and VHDL/Verilog design
• Python scripting, automation, and hardware test development.
• National security or defense-related spacecraft programs.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams (Level IV).

What You’ll Get

• Ownership – Lead mission-critical spacecraft development across multiple electrical disciplines.
• Innovation – Develop next-generation spacecraft hardware and architectures.
• Impact – Enable reliable national security, civil, and commercial space missions.
• Growth – Expand technical leadership while influencing spacecraft architecture and mission execution.
• Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing.

Location: Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA or Denver, CO

Base Salary:

III: $125,000 – $175,000

IV: $140,000 - $200,000

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full-time offers and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.